Raghuram Rajan, the Reserve Bank of India Governor came into the news recently as his term comes to an end in September. Questions of whether he will be offered an extension remain unanswered, even as BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy maintains that Rajan is not fit for India. However, the government of India has said that Swamy’s claims will not affect Rajan’s re-appointment.
In a peculiar show of public support for an incumbent governor, nearly 60,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org – an online petition platform – asking to reinstate Rajan for another term.
The petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been started by Rajesh Palaria and has garnered 58,456 supporters so far.
In his petition, Palaria, as an Indian citizen, drew Modi’s attention to Rajan, saying he has been doing a great job by balancing and maneuvering the Indian economy.
I was recently noticing how Shri Subramanian Swamy has been bullying and threatening him (Rajan) at large. I request all of my fellow citizens to sign this petition and seek Modi to depute Raghuram Rajan for second term as RBI Governor. He is very crucial for India Growth Story now [sic].Rajesh Palaria in the Change.org petition
Rajan has warranted other petitions too. There have been various petitioners coming out in support of Rajan, but none so far have received the kind of support Palaria has.
I had never in my wildest dreams thought of making this far, all I wanted was to calm down my nerve which was being disturbed by the bullying rhetoric; posting this petition was only to make myself complacent.Rajesh Palaria
Petitions by Gita Subramaniam and Deepak Venkateswaran which got 18 and 55 supporters respectively, emphasised on Rajan’s presence as crucial for the Indian economy.
There are also examples of petitions against giving Rajan an extension.
Arguing his case against Rajan’s second term, Lokesh Rastogi whose petition garnered 16 supporters, asked how the economy would grow if the RBI Governor didn’t work at the same pace and direction as the government.
What the country needs is a new governor with a positive approach towards the economy and growth of the country and with different and modern ideas. The old theory of economics that to control inflation reduce the availability of money and increase the interest rate now doesn’t work [sic].Lokesh Rastogi in his Change.org petition
The petitions against Rajan have however not garnered much support.
(With inputs from IANS)
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