Dalit, tribal, minorities slam demonetisation

NEW DELHI: As Ramlila Maidan echoed with chants of “Jai Bhim, Jai Bharat” and similar slogans at the ‘Maha Sangram Rally’ of Dalits, tribals and minorities, the demonetisation drive came under criticism for its adverse impact on the socially disadvantaged.
The rally, organised by representatives of organisations working with Dalits, tribals and minorities, saw PM Narendra Modi and BJP being criticised with speakers claiming that 75 “tribal districts” were worst hit for they either lacked banks or had severely inadequate banking facilities.The rally saw the launch of a unified campaign against “communal and divisive” forces.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind general secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani and All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamal Faruqui said minorities would be seen standing with Dalits and tribals wherever atrocities were inflicted on them. Strict action was demanded against “so-called cow vigilante groups” unleashing violence on Dalits and Muslims.
The founding chairman of National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) Ashok Bharti cited demonetisation as an example of how governments in the past and present had failed to connect with the concerns of the marginalised.
“I want to ask the prime minister about the 75 tribal districts where there are either no banks or the state of banking is dismal. How will people over there cope with the situation?” Bharti asked. He added that while the crackdown on the rich who had black money was yet to come, the common man was queuing up outside banks or depositing their little amounts of cash.