Mumbai: Political parties and activists on Wednesday held protests both in the city and across the state against the Centre’s decision to demonetise Rs 500 and 1,000 currencies last November. Slamming the central government over the decision, the protesters demanded compensation for the family members of those who lost their lives while standing in queues to exchange notes after the demonetisation decision.
While Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar called demonetisation a failure, Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray also criticised it and attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for celebrating it.
Social activist Anjali Damania, political leaders like Raju Shetti and senior journalists like Jatin Desai participated in a protest held at Azad Maidan. “Demonetisation is tyranny on the Indian economy. It has destroyed the common man’s budget completely. Farmers are facing various issues related to it and are worried about their future,” said Mr Shetti while addressing the crowd.
Political parties held their own protests, with Shiv Sena also holding an agitation at the Azad Maidan. The NCP also held a protest, in which leaders like Sunil Tatkare, Chitra Wagh and Dhananjay Munde participated. Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam also protested against demonetisation and called the decision as PM Narendra Modi’s worst decision ever, which has damaged the survival instinct of the Indian economy.
Mr Aaditya Thackeray slammed demonetisation. Taking on Facebook, he expressed wonder over the BJP’s celebration of demonetisation’s first anniversary. “What kind of celebration is it? Killing of the Indian economy? Or farmers struggling to get MSP (minimum support price) for their products and people losing jobs? Or small traders getting frustrated in doing business?” questioned Mr Thackeray.
In Pune, the NCP took out a rally protesting the demonetisation decision and gave a letter to district collector Saurabh Rao. Mr Pawar, Member of Parliament Supriya Sule and other NCP leaders participated in the rally.
