Uddhav warns of surgical strike by people on BJP

‘I don’t oppose the demonetisation step; I oppose the hardships caused to the people due to the sudden step.’

People in Kashmir are faced with a lot of problems as demonetisation has triggered fears and chaos among the general people, especially in the rural areas. In rural Kashmir, reports said that people have huge cash available from horticulture and agriculture produce, but most elderly people do not have bank accounts.

In rural Kashmir, most of the farmers and orchardists have the habit of hoarding money in their homes and have little links with banks and financial institutions.

The main local bank, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, is mulling to go for a massive campaign in rural Kashmir to open accounts of all such people who still do not have this privilege.

As the government has announced 200% penalty on cash deposits over Rs 2.50 lakh, this has triggered panic among the village elders that they may be caught by Income Tax authorities if they disclose huge amounts of cash to the bank authorities.

The problem is manifold in rural Kashmir where because of the current unrest, most of the banks do not operate their branches because of security reasons. State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and other such prominent banks have virtually closed their operations in rural areas of Kashmir, especially in South Kashmir in the current unrest. Huge amounts of cash are to be deposited in these rural areas of Kashmir and the continuous shutdown is creating a chaos. Launching a full-throttled attack on the BJP-led Union government for the woes caused due to the sudden demonetisation move, ally Shiv Sena has warned of a “surgical strike on the government by the people”. “There is news that from January, the government is going to monitor the lockers too. This dictatorship of yours is not going to be tolerated by the people. The citizens of the country had reposited their faith in you. You have back-stabbed them,” Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has said.

“What is the point of your 56-inch chest if you cannot act against the Swiss banks which have stored India’s black money? If you have the courage, take action against them and deposit money in the countrymen’s accounts,” he said. But when asked if he opposed the demonetisation move, he took a safe stand. “I don’t oppose the demonetisation step; I oppose the hardships caused to the people due to the sudden step. This step shouldn’t have been taken so suddenly. Some time should have been given to the people,” he said. The country expected the PM to conduct a surgical strike on the Swiss banks after taking this step, but he has gone to Japan, leaving behind his people to grapple with the woes,” he added.

But Union minister Venkaiah Naidu appealed that the parties should not politicise the issue. Asked about it, Thackeray said, “Ask him to visit the family of Vishwanath Vartak, who died while waiting in a queue in the bank today. Ask him to console that family and then talk about this,” he said. According to media reports, 73-yearold Vishwanath Vartak died in Mumbai’s Mulund area on Friday while waiting in a queue of a bank to get the old notes of Rs 500 exchanged.

“Narendra Modi has been talking each week of his ‘mann ki baat’, but he has forgotten about ‘dhan ki baat’. This Diwali, people withdrew money from their accounts for ‘Dhanteras’ or Lakshmi poojan’, but within eight days, they realised that the Laxmi they were worshipping, hasn’t remained to be Laxmi. This step was hailed in the beginning for rooting out black money. But today, who do you find the most inconvenienced? Who is standing in serpentine queues at banks and ATMs? Is it those with black money?” Uddhav asked. He insisted that the government should extend the deadline for submitting the old notes and getting them converted. “People have postponed their marriages and other auspicious events in their families. Foreign tourists are facing a crunch. Many are stuck. The common man is suffering so much. The government doesn’t seem to be bothered about their woes. The Prime Minister has gone to Japan, leaving his countrymen to suffer,” he said.

Uddhav said that the surgical strikes conducted on Pakistan were appreciated by him too, but India needs to do more. “Pakistan has violated ceasefire 100 times since then. They have martyred 27 of our jawans. What have we done about it? The PM was talking about teaching a lesson to Pakistan. What happened to it?” he asked.

He said that the step of demonetisation should have been taken by giving some time to people. “There is no doubt that black money, corruption should be rooted out of the country, but what are you achieving by again introducing Rs 500, Rs 1000 and Rs 2000 notes? Do you even understand what you are doing?” he asked.

He asked the government to waive charges on all essential services like vegetables, milk, medical services, transport, toll charges. The trading community is upset with the BJP for such steps, he claimed. Reacting to reports that the government is likely to monitor bank lockers, he warned the BJP of dire consequences if the party decided to do it. “Are you now going to fit cameras in people’s houses? Now, you just need to do one thing. Open your offices, cancel Aadhar cards, and instead issue cards with Modi’s photo on it. That card will certify that the person is honest. What are you doing? Live up to the trust of the people,” he appealed.

Normal life in Mumbai was hampered due to demonitisation. Serpentine queues were seen outside banks and ATMs from early hours in the day. Many small shops downed their shutters. The medical stores had run out of change. Many altercations were witnessed at hospitals and medical stores due to the cash problem. Even the judicial processes were hampered. Many undertrials and accused could not get bail as the notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 lost legal tender. PILs are being filed in the courts. The lawyers have written to judges seeking instructions to the court staff to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for bail and other judicial purposes. Activists have lauded Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for proposing to the Central government that people be allowed to pay electricity, water and property bills with the old notes. The proposal has been approved by the Centre.