Even as Opposition parties protested against demonetisation with black badges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday put up a strong defence of demonetisation, saying that the “yagna against corruption, terrorism and black money” will empower the poor and benefit future generations.
Suggesting that the decision was aimed at benefiting rural India, he saluted the people for “whole-heartedly supporting” it. “No longer will the progress & prosperity of rural India be curtailed by corruption & black money. Our villages must get their due,” Modi tweeted.
The PM’s emphasis on the benefit for rural India comes amid criticism that people in villages were facing a more severe cash crunch due to poor banking penetration. Modi reiterated that “this short term pain will pave way for long term gains”.
