Organisations plan protests on noteban anniversary

As the Centre prepares to mark November 8 as Anti-Black Money Day on the first anniversary of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, social organisations are getting ready to protest. In Pune, the National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM) has decided to hold a protest on Laxmi Road in Pune, while other organisations will be symbolically organising the last rites of the 120 people who had died in the weeks following demonetisation, allegedly because of it.

“Demonetisation was said to be done for the common man, but he is the only one who has suffered; the rich did not die standing in queues. The problem of black money still exists, and the economy has derailed. The RBI was kept in the dark, and the Cabinet informed at the last minute. Thus, we are protesting this move,” said Dr Vishwambar Choudhari, a member of NAPM.

He said that over 1,000 protesters are expected in Pune and the details about the protest will be decided in a meeting on Sunday. The event will be apolitical, and no banners of political parties will be entertained.