More dead from notes ban Than in Uri Attack: Ghulam Nabi Azad’s shocker

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 17, 2016 : Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s comment comparing the impact of the currency ban with the attack in September by Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir’s Uri is anti-national, union minister Venkaiah Naidu said today. Another minister Ananth Kumar has demanded an unconditional apology from Mr Azad.

 

Shortly before the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Thursday amid slogan shouting by opposition lawmakers, Mr Azad, who is Leader of the opposition in the Upper House of Parliament said, "A lot of people have died because of demonetisation. The count has gone up to 40. Even half this number of people were not killed in Uri because of terrorism. Twice the number of deaths due to the Uri attacks have now died because of the government’s wrong policy. (sic)"

Venkaiah Naidu said he was shocked at the Congress leader’s "atrocious, anti-national" statement. "You cannot compare this with Pakistan. He (Azad) said that the number of people who died are worse than terrorist killing...You are giving a certificate to Pakistan," the minister said, amid more ruckus as ruling party lawmakers protested. 

"I am only telling you numbers," said Mr Azad, but there were few takers for the clarification in the government benches.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar later said Mr Azad had "insulted martyrs" and demanded that he apologise.  

In September this year, Pakistani terrorists had attacked an Army base camp in Uri. 19 soldiers were killed. Amid huge public anger and grief, the Indian Army had days later conducted surgical strikes against terror bases across the Line of Control in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

Mr Kumar said Mr Azad’s remarks showed "the frustration and desperation of the Congress’s top leadership following the positive response from the public to the demonetisation move," accusing opposition parties of running away from the discussion that they had initiated.

The Rajya Sabha had yesterday begun a debate on the government’s decision to withdraw 500 and 1000 rupee notes to combat the menace of black or untaxed money, but the opposition did not allow it to continue today, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be present in the Upper House and answer their questions.

The government has been equally adamant that it will not give in to that demand. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will reply to the debate in the Rajya Sabha.

Opposition parties have criticised the manner in which the notes ban was implemented causing problems for common people who have had to queue up for hours at banks for new notes, which are in short supply.

The government has said it was done in national interest and that the problems of the people will ease soon. No honest taxpayer will lose a single rupee, while those with unaccounted wealth will suffer, as will terror organisations that have been choked by the currency ban, the government has said.

Courtesy:NDTV