The Opposition on Thursday protested against the government's decision of demonetization of old notes. The opposition staged a 'back day' and protested outside the parliament's Gandhi statue.

“Demonetization has devastated the poor, farmers and daily wage workers. We want to have a discussion. We want a vote, but the government doesn’t,” Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi said at the protest.

“This is not a bold decision, it is a foolish decision which has been taken without any due consideration,” he alleged.

He claimed that "the Prime Minister had changed his narrative on demonetization, the Gandhi family scion said that Modi started by saying the move was aimed against black money, then he shifted to terrorism, then to counterfeit currency and finally began to talk of a cashless economy."

“PM Modi is running away. If he comes to the House for debate, we won't let him run,” Rahul said.

He also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘laughing’ and having a nice time’ while the country is suffering due to demonetization.

Rahul claimed: "it was intended to ensure that a few people must get maximum benefits from these transactions."

In an indirect connection to veteran BJP leader LK Advani’s comments on Wednesday, Rahul further said that "it is the responsibility of the government and Speaker, not the Opposition to ensure that Parliament runs smoothly."

Rahul Gandhi also claimed that if he is allowed to talk in the Lok Sabha, he would show how Paytm actually means ‘Pay to Modi’.

Hitting back at the Opposition, Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that "the ‘Black Day’ was not being held against demonetization but in support of black money."

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Naidu said, ”Gandhi Ji gave the call for Satyagraha to see that victory of truth prevails. What is so-called namesake Gandhi's doing? Observing a protest.”

“Opposition is staging protest only to garner media space. The government is ready for discussion in the house,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar.

“By simply posing for a photo op in front of Gandhiji, the Opposition cannot claim the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. They are insulting his memory,” asserted Naidu.

Naidu said that "after stalling Parliament for 2 weeks, the Congress was only doing a ‘tamasha’ in front of the statue."

“More than 100 people died post demonetisation. We wanted that they must be paid homage in Parliament, but the government refused this. This is the reason why the Opposition staged a protest at Gandhi statue in Parliament premises today and paid homage to those people,” Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

Following ruckus, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon.

The leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, earlier said: "the growth rate has decreased and the problems of the people have increased post demonetisation."

"The people must get relief from this problem. We are observing black day because it's been a month since the implementation of demonetization and still the people are facing problems. Earlier, the Prime Minister asked for five days then five weeks and now 50 days. This isn't right as not even 50 percent of the situation got better in one month," he told ANI.

"Our image has also ruined at the international platform due to demonetization. Everyone is affected due to this monumental mismanagement and all are worried. They have failed in this regard," he added.

"We want to debate and discussion. Don't know how much impact L.K. Advani's statement had on the government, but we have been trying to carry on with the debate," he added.

Also Read: PM Modi Orders Ministers to Promote Cashless Payment

BY M. DIVYA SRI