Mangaluru: The district congress staged a protest against the central government led by Prime minister Narendra Modi for the sudden demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes which has put the economy of the country at stake. The protest was held in front of the Deputy commissioner’s office here on December 7.

A one minute silence was observed for the departed soul of Minister Karnataka Cooperation and Sugar H S Mahadev Prasad.

Addressing the protesters MLA J R Lobo said, “The sudden demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes by the Prime minister is unscientific and implemented without taking the cabinet members into confidence. PM Modi demonetized Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. This is a black day for our Economy in the history of our country which the Congress observes today. Seventy years ago we got our independence and we all thought of building a strong nation. Even late APJ Abdul Kalam dreamt of seeing India in the number position by 2020. But PM Modi’s sudden decision to demonetize Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes has pushed the country back from developing. Our GDP is expected to slow to 7.1 percent in 2016-17 from the 7.6 percent seen in the previous year. After the demonetization, more than 100 people have lost their lives by standing in the queue to withdraw their hard earned money. Many people have lost their jobs, people doing business are struggling. This is the first time in the history of our country that people have to wait in the queue to withdraw their hard earned money. For any corrections to be made, we need to think well and act. Today the common man is suffering because of the demonetization of notes. Modi is directly responsible for the economic crisis in the country. If we will not raise our voice against this in the coming days we will face severe crisis. Let us all join hands to stop this, we need to make our country number one in the world by 2020. We should not allow Modi to destroy our country. Members of the Congress party have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our nation, now it is our duty to bring economic freedom in the country.”

Minister Ramanath Rai said, “Indira Gandhi nationalised the banks but Modi has demonetized the notes and put the common man in trouble. By spending Rs 130 crore for publicity to demonetize the notes. Modi has announced that 98% of the money has come to the bank but as per my knowledge, more than 100% fake notes have been deposited in the bank. The Modi government said that he will bring back the black money from the Swiss bank and credit it to the account of each citizen. But after three years in power, Modi is unable to bring back the black money from the Swiss bank. Chakravarthy Sulibele had said, If the black money will come out we can put gold on the road instead of tar. We are waiting for the golden roads in Mangaluru. Members of the Congress party have sacrificed their lives for the freedom for the country but the BJP leaders are insulting them. When our country was growing stronger, Modi demonetized the currency and put the economy of the country in crisis. Modi should release the statement of the seized black money. He should compensate to the family members of those who died while standing in queue to withdraw their hard earned money”.

Minister U T Khader, MLA Moideen Bava, MLA Shakuntala Shetty, District Youth Congress president Mithun Rai, Mayor Harinath, Kodijal Ibrahim, Vijaya Kumar Shetty, Mamatha Gatti and others were also present.

Courtesy: Mangalorean