Well planned 'black day' observed on the anniversary of demonetisation, announced last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, brought almost all political outfits in the Opposition together in their protest. The Congress staged dharnas while the JMM and others organised marches in different parts of the State on Wednesday.
Their main slogan remained 'ordeal' of the countrymen in one year and the impact it had on overall economy of the country. Congress got the centre stage in narrating the plight by chanting anti-Modi slogans.
"Entire country is bearing the brunt of demonetisation which threw millions out of their jobs, shut down businesses and brought inflation up. The Prime Minister should answer this and vacate if he is unable to correct the misdeed," said Congress Jharkhand in-charge and AICC member RPN Singh.
The party organised sit-in at Raj Bhawan where workers in good numbers sporting black tape on their arms carried placards with anti-Government slogans denouncing the decision claimed to be taken to uproot black money and counterfeit currency on November 8, 2016. Similar protests by the party were organised in Gumla, Khunti, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, lohardaga, Palamu etc.
RPN hitting out further slammed the BJP for celebrating the event. "People are suffering whereas the BJP is celebrating. I am failed to understand whyIJ Where the fact is that over 15 lakh jobs are lost, farmers are committing suicides, terrorist incidents have gone up and the country is far from becoming cashless," said the former Union Minister.
He used the occasion to garner support of people of the State who are claimed to be with the party to observe it as 'black day' and vowed to work for the removal of present BJP-led dispensation. Also, present on the occasion was Pradesh Congress Committee president Sukhdeo Bhagat.
"Any responsible Government should keep in mind the poorest of the poor before taking any policy decision like this whereas the Government went on crushing the section very badly. It has made mockery of the institutions to provide advantage to corporate houses. As expected, the growth rate has come down since the decision has been made which would slip further down," said the PCC president.
Senior party leaders such as Subodh Kant Sahay, Furkan Ansari, MlA Manoj Yadav, Dheeraj Sahu and several others were also present. later in the evening, candle march was also organised to pay tribute to those who died due to difficulties during the currency exchange.
The JMM also organised protest marches in Ranchi, Dumka and several other places to denounce the decision. "leave alone the criticism from Opposition parties, till date even the Government has not able to convey what was the real purpose behind the decision and how much it has been achieved. We firmly believe demonetisation decision was shortsighted one which could not have solved any purpose," said JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya. JVM and Samajwadi Party members also organised torch processions and burnt effigy of the Government.