File report on Vaishno Devi coins: Delhi HC to government

The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the central government to file a report on the issuance of Rs.5 denomination coins with the image of Mata Vaishno Devi embossed on the reverse.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice G. Rohini directed the government to file a report on the coins and posted the matter for Dec 3.

The court asked the government to explain the guideline that it followed while issuing the coins.

The court order came on a plea seeking a ban on coins with religious symbols.

The plea was filed by advocate Nafis Qazi, who told the court that the secular democratic credentials of governance are damaged when the government issues currency with religious symbols.

It said the government, by bringing out coins at regular intervals with religious symbols such as figures of a deity or temple embossed on them, was indulging in anti-secular actions.

The plea said the government in 2010 and 2013 came out with coins with religious symbols embossed on them, which should be withdrawn.

Earlier, the Centre told the court that the coins were issued under the Coinage Act to commemorate the silver jubilee of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.