A viral image on social media features a 500 rupee note adorned with the images of Lord Ram on one side and the Ayodhya Ram Mandir on the reverse. The claim accompanying these photos asserts that these notes are the upcoming currency set to be released on 22 January 2024, to commemorate the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. This article aims to fact-check the authenticity of this assertion.
Claim: Image of new 500 rupee note adorned with the image of Lord Ram, set to be released to commemorate the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024.
Fact: Neither the Central government nor the Reserve Bank of India has officially declared the issuance of new 500 rupee notes featuring images of Lord Ram and the Ram temple, in commemoration of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The viral image is a digitally manipulated creation, edited from a stock image of a 500 rupee note. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
As per Section 22 of the RBI Act, 1934, the Reserve Bank possesses exclusive authority for the issuance of banknotes in India. The Central Government holds the responsibility to approve the design, form, and material of the banknotes, taking into account recommendations put forth by the Central Board of the RBI. While the RBI is empowered to print currency, the ultimate decision on the denominations to be circulated rests with the government.
In light of the aforementioned statements, neither the Central government nor the Reserve Bank of India has officially declared the issuance of new 500 rupee notes featuring images of Lord Ram and the Ram temple, in commemoration of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024. If the RBI had indeed released such notes, it would have communicated this information on its website. However, no such press releases are available on the RBI website, and there are no corresponding news reports either.
As for the viral image, upon careful examination, we can identify a watermark that bears the text ‘@raghunmurthy07’. Subsequent investigation led us to a Twitter account using the same username. This Twitter user posted an identical image with a caption in Kannada, loosely translated as ‘Rama Bhakta Gandhi also wanted this.’ Upon skimming through the comments beneath the post, it becomes apparent that the image is not an official release from the central government.
Further search led us to a currency and stamps trading portal, showcasing an image of a 500 rupee note adorned with a star (*) symbol and an identical number panel as seen in the circulating image. This particular note has also been highlighted on several other blogs (here & here). This strongly implies that the viral 500 rupee note featuring the image of Lord Ram has been generated through digital editing of this specific image and replacing the Gandhi/Red Fort with Lord Ram/ Ayodhya Ram Temple. Further, the viral image has text that explains the portraits on the note written in English & Kannada, which is not the case with official notes. Official notes contain text that explains the portraits on the note written in English & Hindi.
To sum it up, no new 500 Rupee note featuring an image of Lord Ram was issued by RBI; the Viral image is digitally created.
