Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal, recently called a press conference where he claimed he had evidence that the demonetization program by the Central Government is a big scam. As it was expected (by almost everyone in this country now) that he did not have any evidence regarding the claim. However, he did manage to put forth a few questions which TFI feels obligated to answer, not just because we stand with the truth, but this time, we stand against stupidity.
First and foremost, I was amazed at the negligence, ignorance and outright stupidity of people sharing viral posts and news without bothering to think logically. The one news about Mukesh Ambani’s investment in Jio in 2016 and therefore turning his black money into white is the prime example. Reliance Jio Info-comm had bought the 4G spectrum as far back as May 2010. A lot of investment has been taking place since half a decade, many of it during the UPA years. These big deals are not signed using unaccounted cash. It was really hilarious to see AAP affiliated (and non affiliated but leaning) pages and handles sharing the news incessantly, its supporters retweeting and common folks falling prey to this fake, poorly crafted propaganda. Similar people are responsible for the rumor of unavailability of salt. Seriously? We live in a peninsula! We are surrounded by the sea on three sides!
Coming back to the head of all this nonsense, Kejriwal’s first accusation was that BJP gave away this plan to demonetize the 500₹ and 1000₹ notes far back in August to its people and acquaintances. In the name of proof he showed a report by CNBC where it has shown a slight growth in the bank deposits in the July – September quarter this year. Though he purposely refrained from fact checking the matter. This was not an isolated incident caused by BJP’s affiliates depositing their black money in the bank (don’t forget bank accounts are scrutinized foremost). This happens almost every year in this quarter due to festivities and wedding ceremonies. Economy flourishes during this period and the deposit in the bank increases. Also, as Arun Jaitley clarified, marginal spike in bank deposits in SBI was only for September 2016, because of the release of Pay Commission’s salary arrears on 31st August.
Kejriwal ’s second “evidence” for his claim of this entire demonetization being a big scam was the tweet by BJP leader Sanjeev Kamboj where he showcased the about to be launched 2000₹ notes.
Sanjeev Kamboj clarified that he did not know about the demonetization program, but only about the new 2000₹ note (which he tweeted). According to Mr. Kejriwal’s logic, only and only PM Modi (not even the RBI) should have known about the new notes and demonetization plans. He should have made plans by himself, printed it himself, transported it himself, done everything by himself, otherwise the people knowing about it are all corrupt and they saved their black money beforehand.
Kejriwal’s third “evidence” was the number of money brokers available on the street today who are helping the corrupt save their black money. (Putting their method of doing it on the Internet or media is going to help them which he shamelessly did it on a live press conference.) He claims these brokers are BJPs men, of course, without proof, as BJP has specifically told their people to refrain from submitting above ₹2.5 lakh as they will scrutinize the money in banks above this threshold. Yes, the press conference became even more idiotic by the minute.
He asks if Ambani, Adani, Subhash Chandra, Sharad Pawar has more black money than cobblers, auto-rickshaw drivers, farmers and small business owners. The names he took are only one of their kind, but how many small business owners are there in this country? Statistically, much more black money resides at the lower levels in the economy (collectively) than at the higher level. People who hide money from the government and don’t pay taxes, keep the money in cash under their beds. They have been hit hard. Ambani and Adani sure don’t keep 1000₹ denominations under their bed.
In another address from 11th November, Arvind Kejriwal says issuing 2000₹ notes will aid people keeping black money in 1000₹ denominations as it will take them lesser space. It is amazing how he does not even listen to what he speaks. Those 1000₹ notes of black money are useless, and despite how much you try to get it changed, you’ll be at loss. Your black money cash will be hit, no matter what. It is further astonishing to know he was an IITian and had worked in IRS. Somebody is really not happy about the hit at black cash. Somebody’s wallet has been hit. Somebody did not get a warning to have his notes changed into something else within time. And that somebody is on a non stop rant.
