Oppn to observe 1st anniv of note ban as 'Black Day'

New Delhi: Several opposition parties on Tuesday announced that they would observe November 8, the first anniversary of demonetisation, as 'Black Day' and would hold protests across the country to highlight its "ill-effects" on the economy.

Announcing the decision at a joint press conference of the opposition coordination committee, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "This particular announcement made on November 8 is the scam of the century, which is why we are observing this as Black Day."

He described the note-ban decision as the NDA government's "most ill-conceived and hasty decision".

"One can say this is a scam of the century. Eighteen political parties have decided to hold protests in every state in their capacity against the government's decision which caused hardship to the people. Never in the world people have died because of a government policy," Azad said.

Azad, flanked by Sharad Yadav of the breakaway faction of the JD-U and TMC leader Derek O'Brien, said, "Each political party will try to give a regional name to observe this as a 'Black Day' and will hold protests and processions."

O'Brien said his party would observe the day as "Kalo Dibas" which is 'Black Day' in Bengali.

"History of modern India will remember the 'scam' which took place on November 8. We had raised questions, and our doubts regarding the policy but the government could not answer or erase our doubts," he said.

O'Brien also said that all the 18 parties would interpret the day in different ways "in the true federal structure and will take it forward".

Asked why the opposition was not planning a joint and united protest on the day, Azad said the opposition had been "forced" to call November 8 as 'Black Day' and that the parties were united on the issue.