Sir — Following the announcement of demonetisation, the ‘boldest decision in the history of independent India’, it seems that either I have read my civics wrong or that the constitutional and democratic right of freedom of speech and expression had been cancelled and I am not aware of it. If anybody dares to criticise the methodology adopted to fulfil the process of demonetisation or pinpoint the Himalayan ordeal being faced by millions of innocent Indians in long queues or in hospitals due to lack of adequate ‘legal cash’, promptly that person is character-assassinated as being ‘anti-national’, ‘hoarder of black income’, ‘dealer of counterfeit notes’ etc. This is an intolerant approach to dissent.
So many innocent people have suffered enormously while standing in long queues at banks or for want of treatment at hospitals for want of legal cash. Yet, not a bit of remorse, apology, sympathy, compassion or token expression of regret towards the hapless inconsolable families of the deceased ones, who have been victims of the callous methodology undertaken in the name of demonetisation! What have we come toIJ