International Relations
UK to Issue Coin in Honour of Mahatma Gandhi
- 03 Aug 2020
- 3 min read
Why in News
Britain is considering minting a coin to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi.
Key Points
- The consideration is seen as part of efforts to celebrate achievements of people from the Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
- The British Finance Minister has written a letter to the Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC), to consider recognising the contribution of BAME communities on Britain's coinage.
- The RMAC is an independent committee made up of experts who recommend themes and designs for coins.
- The RMAC supports a campaign called ‘We Too Built Britain’, which seeks representation of non-white icons on British currency.
- Recently, the murder of a Black man, George Floyd, in the United States due to police butuality has led to Black Lives Matter protests against racism, colonialism and police brutality across the globe.
- Triggered by the death of George Floyd, some British institutions began re-examining their past, which includes their history, colonialism and racism.
Black Lives Matter Protest
- It is a global movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience in protest against incidents of police brutality and all racially motivated violence against African-American people.
- Its mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.
- The movement was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s (African-American) murderer in the USA.
Mahatma Gandhi
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October, 1869, at Porbandar in Gujarat and died on 30th January, 1948 in New Delhi.
- He was a lawyer, politician, social activist, writer and became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India.
- He advocated for non-violence throughout his life and played a key role in India's struggle for independence.
- His birthday, October 2, is observed as the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations.
- He is considered as India’s Father of the Nation.
