Before you start reading this article, let me set up a disclaimer that I am in no way associated to any political party. So before you start labelling me as a Congi, or Aaptard, you might just want to keep that in mind. And yes, I don’t have “Kala Dhan,” nor am I an anti-national and I don’t eat beef, in fact as I write it, I have been deprived of any form of Dhan, because I am yet to visit any of the banks or ATMs, (yes we exist). I am dreading the very thought of it.
- Ok, so let’s start! The government is asking me to deposit all my money in the bank, from my income to my savings, everything. The government is then going to decide whether my money is black or white, and question my integrity, but that is ok because all this is going to serve a “larger cause.” So my very first question is what is the larger cause? Is this move going to help the infrastructure, education, employment, economy etc? Or is it going to be used, in the field of defence or for paying for all the foreign trips made by the Prime Minister? What? For example, if your uncle comes to you and asks you for all your money, wont you question him as to why does he need it? Why should you trust him with your money? Should not there be any transparency
- My second question is, on the presumptions based on the fact that demonetization, will lead to “aantankwaad ka safaya.” Well, if this is true, then I am willing to give the government every penny I own. But, when you say that terrorist forces are holding Indian currency which can be used to cause chaos in the nation, then are you trying to say that Indians are funding the terrorist, because the currency is Indian. Most terrorist organizations by my understanding should be paid in dollars, because the financers belong to the adversary country. Yes, I understand that a lot of the money which they currently hold will go to waste, but that will only buy us time; so the “aatankwaad ka safaya” is temporary?
- My next question, is what kind of a government does not take into account, the size of the note? Well, many say that had the PM got his way, he would’ve put up his picture on the new currency, but I am not going to dip my toes into that controversy. Coming back into the topic, can you imagine, how cumbersome will it be to recalibrate ATMs, which were the major source of withdrawing cash in urban areas, in a hassle free manner. Doesn’t this show there that there are major loopholes in the execution? If the PM very chest-thumping-ly takes credit for the “black money” being done away with, shouldn’t he acknowledge the flaws and take the blame for it?
- Now for all those saying, that the jawaans are standing at the borders at a stretch, to protect the nation and we common people can’t stand in bank queues for a few hours for the “betterment of the nation.” Well, mitron, by that rhetoric those who are dying in the bank queues must be rewarded with martyrdom, should receive compensation and should contribute in the struggle for OROP. And by the way, using the jawaans as poster boys for patriotism just demeans and degrades their sacrifice because comparing them to common people is not justifiable.
- Next up, the government promised to bring back money from the Swiss banks, and they promised to wipe out corruption and made many promises which are yet to be fulfilled. From whatever I know, people started the “Jan Dhan” accounts thinking that Rs 15 lac will be deposited in it by the government. But it turns out, that everything was a “Jumla.” So how do I trust, that the “Larger cause” is not a jumla?
- I am not making any personal attacks on the Prime Minister, but he seems to be a very well-dressed and now, a very well-travelled man, (he spends some good money on himself) and I have no objections with it. But how does he expect us to survive on a stipend given to us by his government? My money, my taxable/taxed money, and I don’t have access to it. It seems that I will have to work harder to withdraw the money than to earn it.
- My next question is that when did the country become more important than the countrymen? Using the name of the country to get away with pretty much everything is a very old school fascist tactic, so since when did it start being applied in a democracy? When the state becomes more important than the people isn’t it a cause of concern? Fascism much?
- I am not going to comment on the quality of the new 2,000 rupee note because I am yet to see one, but isn’t it stupid to introduce that denomination? Not only will there be a ruckus for change, but once there is enough money in the system, won’t it help in giving bribes in a much easier manner? Wont under the table bundles, now be more slender? Will they demonetize again, once the vicious cycle of corruption begins?
- In this country we all, including myself are guilty of corruption. Giving Rs 10 extra to the cab man, to reach your desired destination and wooing his service is corruption. So in a country where corruption is a lifestyle, is demonetization the answer?
- Couldn’t there be better execution and a more people friendly method? Couldn’t only Rs 1,000 be banned? Couldn’t the government bring Rs 500 notes into the cash rotation any faster? Couldn’t the government take some more time and improve the execution of this plan, and announce it by the end of this year when things were sorted and more thought out by the RBI?
I could go on and on, but until the government doesn’t answer these questions? (You might call it rants) How do I trust it with my life savings?
P.S. A country which is now divided into bhakts and sickulars; labelling and trolling has become a tool in the hand of many. Even then I do not expect herd mentality from the people. We are a democracy because we have been able to ask questions. So please for once forget the bhakti, take off the blindfolds, and start thinking. Will your sweat and tears of standing in bank queues really pay off and work in the favour of the “betterment of the country?”
Yours sincerely,
A common man/woman
