Seers claim demonetization, cashless economy against ‘dharma’

VARANASI: After the Congress and other parties, it’s the turn of seers and Vedic scholars to denounce demonetisation. Cashless economy and demonetisation are against ‘dharma’, they claimed at a religious discourse held in the city.
During a ‘shastrartha’ (religious discourse) in Sanskrit held in presence of Shankaracharya of Jyotish and Dwarika Sharda peeths Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati at Sri Vidya Math on Tuesday evening, it was resolved that “demonetisation as well as cashless system is ‘ashashtriya’ (not as per Shastras) and against national interest, hence should be withdrawn immediately”.
Although initiating the debate, Brahmchari Divya Swaroop spoke in favour of demonetisation justifying its importance to put a check on black money, corruption and terrorism, several other scholars led by Pt Vishwanath Dhital outrightly rejected the theory of demonetisation.
Speaking against demonetisation, seers and pundits of Kashi Vidwat Parishad said, “Scraping of notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination has failed to deter terrorists or Maoist ultras. They take the path of violence not just for notes, but because of hatred for India and consumption of drugs. They run their economy by loot and abduction and will continue to do so by looting whatever note is in circulation.”
“In Shastras, the money earned by wrong means is called Asit, which comes in category of crime and there is provision of punishing the earners on being proved guilty,” said Dhital.
“Instead of punishing the guilty, the common people are being deprived of their money earned by just means. Hoarders of black money have found ways to save their wrongly earned wealth. The government gave them the option to convert black money into white money by paying tax. It seems that the main objective of the government is to increase tax collection and not to end corruption,” he added.
The scholars said that ‘Neeti Shastra’ (a treatise on ethics) says the ruler should act like ‘malakar’, not as ‘angarak’. A ‘malakar’ collects flowers and fruits by nurturing trees, but ‘angarak’ cuts trees and burns them to fulfill his needs. When the ruler tries to capture people’s money, they are compelled to hide it. Improvement in situation is not possible if both the ruler and ruled will remain away from the path of ‘dharma’. Limiting the right of money withdrawal from bank is also the violation of one’s right.
After discussion, it was resolved that demonetisation and cashless economy is not in the interest of the country. Brahmchari Subuddhanand, Mahamandaleshwar Ramakrishnanand of Agni Akhada, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Swami Sadananda Saraswati, Swami Ishwaranand Teerth, president of Kashi Vidhwat Parishad Acharya Ramyatna Shukla, Pt. Vashishta Narayan Tripathi, Pt. Ramkishor Tripathi, Pt Shatrughna Tripathi, Shivji Upadhyaya and others participated in the debate.