Delhi Science Forum discusses demonetisation, ‘intolerance’

Problems people are facing due to demonetisation, and “intolerance” were flagged as challenges before Indian democracy in a panel discussion organised by Delhi Science Forum here on Monday.

DSF president Satyajit Rath opened the discussion red-flagging “assaults” on “tolerance and rationality” in contemporary times.

Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta termed demonetisation as a “major disruption” in the Indian economy which has hit the “vulnerable sections” of the country “most”.

“It is a major disruption in the economy during peace time. It goes against everything democratic — hurting the vulnerable sections including workers, farmers, women and elderly people, the most,” he said.

Presenting a detailed analysis on demonetisation, he also expressed surprise that despite hardships faced by people there was no “voice” against it.

Bezwada Wilson, campigner against manual scavenging, expressed his anguish that there were other issues like deaths of manual scavengers that did not agitate people in the country.

“Demonetisation is a big problem and it has affected the contract workers. But there other issues like deaths of manual scavengers, caste system and poverty about which people do not talk,” he said.

Prof Nandita Narain, DUTA president, raised issues related with the government’s new education policy and privatisation of education.

JNU’s Prof Ram Ramaswamy pointed to the “demographic nightmare” of burgeoning youth population in the country and lack of educational opportunities to them.

“There is the challenge of large number of youth, a demographic nightmare. We have made education so privileged and not made it accessible to the people,” he said.