This demonetisation drive by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is nothing but a stunt. A plan without any planning, implemented haphazardly without any thought for the common citizens. There has been no care taken to replace the notes for the middle class and poor. They are the ones suffering and not those who have really hoarded black money. The rich, the politicians, the actors or upper class people are not seen standing in these long queues to exchange notes.
If the government really cares for the people, then this exchange could have been carried out smoothly without any hassles. Even the announcement was made in an irresponsible manner, creating panic in people.
It is claimed that the aim of this demonetisation of higher denomination currency is to bring out black money, but shockingly new versions of the same denomination and even higher denomination currencies are being introduced! What’s the logic?
More than that, Modi calls those in the queue “black money hoarders”, which is a great insult to the already suffering people! Those who support this drama, are high class people who have the capacity of using credit and debit cards, but a large section of Indians know nothing of these cards. Small traders are affected a lot. Illegal exchange of notes are being reported depriving the poor people, handicapped, senior citizens and illiterates of their hard earned money.
It is also suspected that a section of the rich have been informed earlier of this demonetisation scheme, which has reflected in the increased cash deposits in various banks in India. It should be recalled that this is the same government that refused to enlist the names of the 800 hoarders to the Supreme Court despite the court order to disclose.
The leader of a country should be strong and giving hope to the people. He shouldn’t be staging emotional scenes in public. That shows how weak and helpless he is, incapable of solving people’s issues.
- The reader is a homemaker based in Abu Dhabi.
