THE government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently decided to withdraw all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes from circulation in a bid to eliminate corruption and black money in the country. Many people are criticizing the decision saying that it has not been implemented correctly, while others see it as a bold move.
The decision was announced on Nov. 8 along with the news that banks would be closed the next day. On hearing this announcement, the entire nation went into shock. On Nov. 9, what had once been money turned into pieces of paper. People had money, but they could not use it because no one would accept it. That was also the day when people realized the value of money and simultaneously the truth that there are many things more precious than money in this world, such as love, knowledge, peace and joy. Nonetheless, money was required to survive and people were confused.
On Nov. 10, the ATMs were open and people were in a hurry to exchange Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes for the new Rs 2000 note; according to the ruling, a citizen could exchange up to Rs 4000 per day. As soon as people reached the banks, they found that this demonetization drive was going to make their lives a living hell. They ended up in long queues outside the banks in steaming hot weather. The banks were crowded in no time.
It’s been a few days now and the chaos continues. People who were able to exchange banknotes were happy for a while, they even took selfies and posted them on social media. But now the country has run out of change and that there is no cash in the ATMs, people are literally struggling to survive.
Why did this menace happen? Isn’t this a lack of preparation on the part of the government? Prime Minister Modi said in a speech that he understood what people were going through and asked them to bear the hardship for only 50 days. He is giving speeches everywhere and trying to comfort people. But with all due respect, Mr. Prime Minister, let me ask you a few questions: Do you think every Indian citizen will be able to stay alive that long? The educated people may bear the pain but do you think the poor and the illiterate will be able to sleep in peace?
A report stated that nearly 25 people in India have died as a result of this chaos, and there may be many more deaths that have not been reported. There are many stories going viral on WhatsApp and these are pathetic to read about. There was a woman who exchanged her banknotes after standing in the queue for a long time and returned home with joy only to realize that she had left her child at the bank. Fortunately, the child was safe and is now back home. There was an illiterate farmer who thought she had lost all her money after hearing the government decision and committed suicide.
I agree that this chaos is nothing compared to what people are going through in war-torn countries. But why should we choose to live like them?
Why, Mr. Prime Minister, should we put ourselves into such trouble? Do you think, you can eradicate graft and black money easily? I appreciate your determination to do so, but you should have been more careful and aware of the consequences that would ensue. In 50 days time, the rich may convert black money into white. You can fill the ATMs with cash but only those who have accounts will be able to use them. The rich will live a happy life leaving the poor to suffer.
Personally, I support the decision only if it is going to help society. The next time the government takes a decision like this, I hope that they think carefully and then act accordingly. I also hope that it is not too late for some leniency as far as the current ruling is concerned.
On Thursday, the government announced immediate steps to ease a cash crunch for farmers, which is a relief. Furthermore, the decision to allow people to use Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes until Nov. 24 and the use of indelible ink to ensure that people exchange notes only once are not bad steps either. It would also be great if the government could appoint volunteers to guide the poor and illiterate who are standing in queues and help them fill in the bank forms.
To the citizens of India, I say, either you should have the courage to walk into the street as a united nation and protest against the decision if you think the government has made a wrong decision or you should pull yourselves together until the date issued by the government and help your near and dear ones, your friends and neighbors, even strangers and the elderly to cope with the chaos in the hope that this decision may guarantee a corruption-free economy. The choice is yours.
Dona Paranayil,
Saudi Gazette
