Thousands protest against demonetisation in Mumbai

Thousands of Mumbaikars owing allegiance to various political parties and outfits on Monday protested to air their anger over their post-demonetisation woes and held demonstrations across the city.

State-level politicians and their supporters organised joint and independent protests as part of the nationwide 'Aakrosh Divas' (anger day) called by their national leaders against the alleged shoddy implementation of demonetisation announced on November 8.

The politicians and thousands of party activists interacted with the public and explained to them the implications of currency notes ban in their lives.

Addressing home-bound commuters at various locations in Mumbai and its suburbs in the evening, leaders of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Samajwadi Party and another dozen-odd outfits highlighted the people's anger over the November 8 currency spike.

"People are running from pillar to post for withdrawing their own money from bank accounts; automated teller machines don't function even after three weeks. People have been dying in long queues. Who's responsible for all this?" asked Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam.

"In the past 20 days since demonetisation, the Reserve Bank of India has come out with 63 different notifications, clearly indicating that no preparation had been made before announcing the decision," NCP Mumbai chief Sachin Aher said.

SP state President Abu Asim Azmi said the country's economy was badly hit and the poor, middle class, farmers, daily wage earners and students were severely affected by the cash crunch.

Nirupam said that the Bharatiya Janata Party had brought the people on the roads with demonetisation, and warned that voters will dump the party in the next general elections.

Various leaders and speakers also demanded that the government reveal how many real black money hoarders have been caught since demonetisation and said a majority had already exchanged their ill-gotten stash of cash at 20-30 per cent premium.

State Congress President Ashok Chavan claimed all top BJP leaders, including Modi, have resorted to sheer lies, false promises and forced demonetisation on the innocent masses without making full preparations, while the real culprits have escaped.

--IANS

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