'Demonetisation an organised loot and legalised plunder': Twitter reviews Manmohan's speech
On Thursday, November 24, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh spoke in the Rajya Sabha. The economist who has formerly served in key posts such as finance minister, chief economic adviser, head of the Planning Commission and Reserve Bank of India governor criticised the government’s move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
“The prime minister has been arguing that this is the way to curb black money, to prevent the growth of fake currency notes and also to help control terrorist activities. I do not disagree with these objectives, but in the process of demonetisation, monumental mismanagement has been undertaken,” said Dr Singh.
Further attacking the Modi government’s inept handling of the demonetisation drive, Singh quoted economist John Keynes, in what was perhaps, the most poignant phrase uttered by the ex-PM - “Even those who say this measure will cause distress in the short run, but will be in the interest of the country in the long run, I am reminded of what John Keynes said once: In the long run, we are all dead.”
The former prime minister, whose opinion on this issue has been highly sought after, had so far remained silent. But in ten minutes, Dr Singh managed to bring forth all the issues that point towards the demonetisation drive’s cracks.
Dr Singh also reiterated a point that has been one of the most important criticisms of this drive. He criticised the government’s insistence that people should wait for 50 days to estimate the effects of the move. According to him “50 days can bring about disastrous effects for the poor”.
“People have money in the bank, but they are not allowed to withdraw it. This alone is enough to condemn what has been done,” he said.
The Congress leader concluded his address with a sharp jab at the demonetisation drive as he called it “a monumental management failure” and “a case of organised loot and legalised plunder”.
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| I am reminded of what John Keynes said once: In the long run, we are all dead - Dr Manmohan Singh [Photo: Indiatoday.in] |
Dr Singh’s speech in the Rajya Sabha earned him not only applause in the House, but also widespread praise. The notoriously silent ex-prime minister managed to surprise people with such an open and strong protest against the Narendra Modi government’s decision to decommission Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
" Organized loot & legalized plunder. A monumental failure"; says the man , Dr Manmohan Singh, who in 1991, changed India. #Demonetizaton
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) November 24, 2016
Dr Manmohan Singh is right when he says that people must not be prevented from taking their own money out of banks.
— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) November 24, 2016
Bhakts as usual attack Manmohan Singh the person and not the substance of his speech. Because they can't #manmohansingh #RajyaSabha
— Jarshad NK (@jarshadnk) November 24, 2016
MMS has shown today, that sometimes a nation hears its normally silent Ex-PM, more intently than its much talking current PM
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) November 24, 2016
Thank you, Dr. MMS.I needed this reminder that we have people who are capable of stating their points w/o ad hominem, sans propaganda.
— Ritu Chaudhry (@TheRituChaudhry) November 24, 2016
"Organised loot & legalised plunder" Mitron, MMS may speak less, but when he does, people listen https://t.co/EbU7w9Srss
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) November 24, 2016
Well done,Manmohan Singh! Former P.M.demands basic answers to basic questions, speaks up for citizens suffering tyranny of demonetisation.
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) November 24, 2016
Manmohan Singh spoke slowly, softly and calmly. I've never seen him so angry.
— José Covaco (@HoeZaay) November 24, 2016
HAHAHAHA. Dr Manmohan Singh says those who say demonitization is good in the long run should recall quote "In the long run we are all dead"
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) November 24, 2016
When we hear Manmohan Singh speak - we realise the difference between him an intellectual & a hollow vessel Narendra Modi.
— Tehseen Poonawalla (@tehseenp) November 24, 2016
Ex-PM Manmohan Singh shows you don't have to shout to be heard. "Organised loot" & "legalised plunder" are good catch phrases.
— Maneesh Chhibber (@maneeshchhibber) November 24, 2016
There are of course those who did not think too highly of his address. Some argued that Singh’s moral grandstanding on this government’s economic failures was uncalled for, considering the fact that the Congress, in its dynastic rule over India, perpetrated more organised loot and legalised plunder than ever before.
Has #manmohansingh forgotten his cabinet colleague A Raja, Kalmandi ? Has he also forgotten1000s farmers committed suicide during his rule?
— Prof Rakesh Sinha (@RakeshSinha01) November 24, 2016
Powerful speech by Manmohan Singh. Standing ovation to him for reminding us organized plunder and legalized loot like 2G, Coal, CWG scams
— Bhak Sala (@bhak_sala) November 24, 2016
Manmohan Singh speaking like a human is a great leap in robotic technology. It has left Japs gasping for air.
— Champ McTrump (@BolshoyBooze) November 24, 2016
Sh Manmohan Singh ji, having presided over monumental mismanagement for 10 years resulting in the present situation 1/
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) November 24, 2016
Throughout Dr Singh’s tenure as the PM of India, if there has been anything that’s been starkly iconic, it has been his silence. Singh has in fact been so meek, that his famous silence turned from legitimate criticism into a joke. Apparently, the joke still lives on.
#Demonetizaton ke side effects: #ManmohanSingh ji aaj 10min tak bole. Jai Ho.:)
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) November 24, 2016
For Those Questioning What Change Would #Demonetizaton Bring In The Society, For Starters, It Made Dr Manmohan Singh Speak For 10 mins.
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) November 24, 2016
Those who said they want to see the end result of Demonetizaton & the changes it brings.. Dr Manmohan Singh ji just spoke...for 10 minutes..
— Paresh Rawal fαи (@Babu_Bhaiyaa) November 24, 2016
Thankfully, that’s not the only joke that people came up with.
Ye kya bol diya sardar ji aapne, Modi Kaka ab harek country me check karne jayenge personally ???? https://t.co/B7YY9KMVo1
— Rofl Gandhi 100k (@RoflGandhi_) November 24, 2016
when mom is yelling at you but she kinda has a point pic.twitter.com/oS1hjUKHR0
— Rega Jha (@RegaJha) November 24, 2016