Whimsical & Tughlaqi drama: Mamata criticizes RBI's Rs 2,000 note withdrawal

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday slammed the BJP-led central government over the Reserve Bank of India's decision to withdraw Rs 2,000 notes from circulation, describing it as a "dhoka" (fraud) of a billion Indians.

 She had been an early critic of demonetization and took to Twitter to remind people of the hardships faced during that time.

She also said that the suffering people went through due to demonetization in 2016 cannot be forgotten. "So it was not Rs 2,000 dhamaka but a billion dollar dhoka (fraud) to a billion Indians. Wake up my dear brothers and sisters. The suffering we have suffered due to demonetisation cannot be forgotten and those who caused this suffering should not be forgiven." Banerjee said on Twitter.

On Saturday, she further expressed her discontent, calling the decision another "whimsical & Tughlaqi demonetisation drama" that would adversely impact common people.

RBI did not say what will be the status of Rs 2,000 notes in private hands after September 30. Earlier, the government had made it a criminal offense to hold demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes after the deposit deadlines.

Banks will exchange the Rs 2,000 notes by September 30 and people holding the notes after the specified date will not invite legal action, sources said.