Comparing demonetisation with Pak terror attacks, an insult to nation: Naidu

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday condemned Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad for comparing the demonetisation of higher currency notes with Pakistan terror attacks.

"Leader of Opposition is insulting the nation by making such remarks by comparing this with the Pakistan terror attacks and he should apologise," said Naidu in the Rajya Sabha.

Azad said,"Pakistan terrorists did not kill even half of our people in Uri than those who have died due to government's wrong policy. Till the PM comes to the house for discussion we will not let the house function."

Outside Parliament, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked the Centre to rollback the decision in three days or face intensified protest.

"If this decision (demonetisation) is not taken back in three days, we will intensify our protest. Today, they announced that only Rs. 2,000 can be exchanged and not Rs. 4,000. What's going in their head? If the people are suffering, who would protect the Constitution? So I approached President Pranab Mukherjee. If vegetable mandi is shut, what will people eat--diamond or ATM card?" Mamata said while addressing a rally of traders, farmers and labourers at the Azadpur Mandi here.

Saying demonetisation will push the country backwards by 100 years, Mamata said the crisis of this proportion was not seen even during the Emergency of 1975.

She also submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee and sought his intervention on the issue.

Both Houses of parliament were adjourned till Friday following uproar over the issue of demonetisation issue.