On the 2nd anniversary of demonetization, the Congress Party today held a strong protest demonstration near Reserve Bank of India (RBI) office at Jammu alleging that decision of the Modi Government ruined economy of the country.
Senior leaders of the Congress Party and over 300 activists were also taken into preventive custody by police and later released.
Led by AICC secretary, Sudhir Sharma, former ministers, Raman Bhalla and Mula Ram, and other senior leaders, the Congress workers assembled at RBI Chowk near Railway Station and held a strong protest demonstration raising slogans against Modi Government for the “ill advised” step ruining the economy of the country.
Carrying placards and raising slogans against Modi Government, the Congress leaders alleged that demonetization caused great loss to the economy of the country and ruined the private sector.
They said that over hundred people lost their lives standing in queues outside banks to get their hard earned money.
After holding demonstration for around two hours, the senior leaders and activists were taken into preventive custody by police and taken to District Police Lines (DPL) Gandhi Nagar.
Earlier, addressing the demonstrators, the AICC secretary, Sudhir Sharma described the adverse affects of the demonetization.
He said that three main objectives of demonetization announced by Prime Minister Modi including terror and naxal funding, black money and fake currency, were not achieved.
He said that out of 15.44 lakh crores, demonetized, an amount of 15.31 lakh crores returned to the banks, so where is the black money, sought to be eliminated by Modi.
Former minister Raman Bhalla questioned the dictatorial action of Modi Government whereby the poor and common man of this country underwent huge loss and great sufferings.
The daily wage earners and small and medium businessmen are still facing great hardships due to demonetization, he said
Modi government’s step has ruined the poor and common man and economy of the country suffered a great set back, he said.
He questioned that who benefitted out of this action, as black money has become white at the cost of poor and middle class.
He also lashed out at the economic policies of Modi Government saying that the prices of petrol and diesel are record high.
Former Minister Mula Ram also raised questions over the demonetization and said that this action has benefitted the rich and capitalists while the poor and honest citizens suffered.
PCC vice-president, Kanta Bhan, chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma, co-treasurer, Rajnish Sharma, general secretaries, Yogesh Sawhney and Manmohan Singh, former MLA Indu Pawar, DCC presidents, Vikram Malhotra and Hari Singh Chib, and other senior leaders of PCC, DCC Mahila Congress, Seva Dal, Youth Congress, NSUI, newly elected corporators/councilors and scores of other leaders and workers participated in the protest.