Karnataka deputy chief minister and senior Congress MLA DK Shivakumar has stirred a new political flashpoint by challenging the BJP-led central government to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s image from Indian currency notes. His remarks came during a protest against the Centre’s decision to alter the rural employment scheme named after Gandhi, a move Congress leaders argue undermines the legacy of the Father of the Nation.

Shivakumar accused the BJP of playing with constitutional values and damaging public unity, claiming that the ruling party has allowed politics to seep into every sphere. During the protest, he held up a ₹500 note and openly dared the BJP to eliminate Gandhi’s portrait if they truly stand by their position.

This statement has triggered debate across political circles, with supporters praising his confidence and critics calling the demand provocative. Gandhi’s image on Indian currency has long been an iconic symbol tied to India’s identity and history. Despite disagreements over policies, such a change is widely seen as improbable. Shivakumar’s challenge, however, highlights rising political friction in Karnataka and at the national level as both parties prepare for future electoral battles.

The comments are being viewed as a strategic attempt to rally Congress supporters and frame the BJP as dismissive of India’s foundational values. The protest and public remarks have added fuel to an already heated atmosphere, signaling that the debate around Gandhi’s legacy and rural employment policy may continue to dominate political discussions in the coming days.