Did you mind the queue, PM asks the nation

Through 'Jan Jan Ki Baat,' Modi asked 10 questions to gauge the mood of nation post demonetisation

Two weeks of queues and cashless ATMs later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to assess the mood of the people, directly from them. He sought on Tuesday a rating of demonetisation in a 10-step survey, calling it “Jan Jan Ki Baat”. Within hours of the PM seeking citizens’ feedback on the most burning issue on his narendramodi application, there were around 10,000 retweets and over 23,000 likes on his Twitter handle. 

It is early to say how people of India have rated demonetisation on the app, but many took time off from work or from the bank queues to flood social media with their reactions, ranging from “tremendous decision’’ to “big fish swam away’’ or “the step will usher in golden era for the economy’’ to “this app result will not reflect reality in any way’’. 

The survey took off with a simple question: “Do you think there’s black money in India?” Then it goes on to ask whether there’s a need to eliminate black money and how has the government effort been towards that goal. From the fifth question onwards, the survey gets into demonetisation full steam. Question number 5: “How do you assess the government move to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes?”

More analytical questions follow. “Do you think demonetisation will curb black money, corruption and terrorism?” The next question: “Will demonetisation bring real estate, higher education, health care in common man’s reach?” One has the option of clicking “agree’’, “don’t agree’’, “can’t say’’. Answer to the eighth question will probably be crucial for this government at this point, as it asks, “Did you mind the inconvenience faced after demonetisation?’’. The answer could be anything from “not at all’’, to “somewhat, but it was worth it’’ to “yes’’.

The ninth question in the survey sounds laced with political connotations. “Do you believe some anti-corruption activists are now actually fighting in support of black money, corruption and terrorism?’’ The choice is between ‘’yes’’ and ‘’no’’. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been protesting demonetisation, along with other Opposition parties, was quick to respond. “Thank you Narendra Modiji for asking a question on me,’’ Kejriwal tweeted soon after the survey went viral.  

Finally, the PM has asked for ideas and insights after the country has experienced the after-effects of demonetisation. He also wants the app followers who have taken the dipstick survey to inspire friends and family to do the same. To get a 360 degree view of the big ban that has put the nation in queue for two weeks now.