Demonetisation a tragedy, thoughtless act: Rahul Gandhi

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has said that demonetisation was a "tragedy" and a "thoughtless act" by the government.

"Demonetisation is a tragedy. We stand with millions of honest Indians, whose lives & livelihoods were destroyed by PM’s thoughtless act," he said in a tweet posted on Wednesday, on the first anniversary of demonetisation.

He also used a Hindi couplet to attack the central government.

Gandhi will visit Surat in Gujarat today to participate in a candle-light vigil there as part of the Opposition parties' "Black Day" protest.

Congress and other Opposition parties have decided to observe November 8, the date when Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year announced demonetisation, as "Black Day".

Gandhi's decision to take part in the protest in Gujarat is significant as the state is going to polls next month.

On the eve of the demonetisation anniversary, former prime minister Manmohan Singh attacked the BJP-led central government on Tuesday, terming the note ban as "organised loot" and "legalised plunder".

Hitting out at the Congress for observing the Demonetisation anniversary as Black Day, Haryana minister Anil Vij has said, "only those parties which have black money left with them" will observe November 8, the first anniversary of demonetisation, as "black day".

He added that November 8 can be observed as "black day" for the Congress which was involved in scams of around Rs 12 lakh crore. 

He praised his government for implementing Demonetisation and said that the "revolutionary step" can only be taken by a strong government. 

He claimed that Demonetisation has not only promoted cashless payment system but it has also led to an increase in the number of taxpayers.