PM must break silence on note ban
Just at the time when criticism is flowing in from all corners about the currency ban that gave a massive jolt to Indian economy, Finance minister Arun Jaitley is attempting to escape from the responsibility that he should own in this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had clearly said the intention of note ban was to unearth the black money that the illegal hoarders had in their possession. But as per the report given by the RBI, black money has not been unearthed at all through this. More than 99% currency notes have been returned into banking system.
PM Modi who addressed the nation to announce the note ban in a rather melodramatic manner, will now have to come before the same people to explain the pros and cons of his decision. Instead of explaining this, Modi is escaping from his accountability to the public on this topic. Though the finance minister did give an explanation, his words do not answer the question that’s looming large. Jaitley has come up with a whole new reasoning to demonetization. He says it was done to make sure more people came under tax bracket making India a tax-adhering nation. Then does that mean there is no black money in the country? Where did the ‘assumed’ black money go? Can this failure not be attributed to the government? PM Modi had said terrorism in Kashmir would come down with note ban, but the situation is now totally contrary to this. Extremists are now assaulting the police and army more than ever before.
Modi then jumped another goal post that digitalization of cash was the main intention behind demonetization. The app ‘BHIM’ released by Modi for this purpose has fallen flat. Does increased ‘tax collection’ mean you tie the middle class down to cough up taxes? Banks are literally fleecing the middle class with various charges now to make good for their loss suffered through this phase. Banks are trying to stay afloat by making people pay for the losses the former have incurred through non-refundable loans. Those who robbed thousands of crores from banks are leading luxurious lives abroad. Banks are now running on the bulk of ‘penalty’ charges they have collected from the poor and middle class. Is this is progress, then why are taxes being collected? A nation is its people. If financial institutions play around with their hard earned money to show their ‘collections’ how can this even be seen as progress?
Note ban dealt a heavy blow to poor and middle class people. Small and medium industries could never recover from that assault. Agriculture sector suffered massive losses too. Economic health of the nation was damaged. People could never confidently spend money like they did before. Small traders were left without help. More than 60% of this country lives through small traders. Note ban literally stifled any possibility of business in small shops. Super bazaars reaped the benefits of this. This made the rich richer and the poor poorer. Ones who bought rice in small shops were forced to get a card and buy rice at big malls.
Note ban divided the country into two nations, between the haves and have nots. The ones that could reap the benefits of ‘digital india’ thrived and the ones that couldn’t cross over this divide, fell out of Modi’s dream of ‘development’. Those who possessed costly mobiles and had pan cards and other bank cards had their lives secured through this divide of note ban that was created. Those who didn’t know any of this, were left behind. The GDP of India fell owing to less participation from grassroots level. Rupee has been losing a battle against dollar at an alarming pace. There was an unprecedented increase in unemployment. Violence increased after note ban. Jobless youths donned the guise of Gau Rakshaks and moral police. Malnutrition and poverty increased in rural areas.
The image of India was lost at global level. India entered a very precarious phase after note ban. Having ignored all this, Jaitley is speaking about improved tax collection to indicate a finance minister could well be a dangerous cop who ensures people pay their taxes. More than anything else, Modi should have the courage to speak of consequences of note ban before people. Where did the black money, as claimed by them, go? Why were the officers not able to track it? People lost lives owing to note ban but mega corporate companies have reaped its benefits. What was the benefit that was passed on to common people? Why are the oil rates continuously increasing? What are the ways to boost the affected middle level and rural industries? How can general people improve their financial stability after this?
Modi owes the people of this nation an answer as to what losses they suffered owing to note ban. This cannot be dodged by arresting activists who question the government. A broken mirror turns into multiple mirrors. Modi should never forget this truth.
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Arnab Goswami’s Homecoming? Anchor tears into Modi Government over aviation chaos
Says, govt not going to be happy with us saying this
New Delhi: In a striking turn that surprised even his regular viewers, Arnab Goswami spent the evening of December 4 taking direct aim at the central government over the ongoing crisis in the domestic aviation sector. The debate, aired on Republic, focused entirely on the severe disruption caused by IndiGo flight cancellations and the state of air travel in the country. The tone was sharp, emotional, and openly critical, raising the larger question of whether this marks a homecoming of sorts for the anchor long accused by critics of being soft on the government.
Goswami began the show by saying the central government had “completely let down” air passengers. He pointed to chaotic visuals from airports in Pune, Ahmedabad and Mumbai, describing passengers packed into crowded spaces, long queues, and travellers lying on the floor with little access to basic facilities. He said anyone travelling with children or elderly parents would understand the distress such situations cause.
According to him, the government often claims to have improved the aviation sector, but the day-to-day experience of passengers tells a different story. He argued that whatever help the government may have extended has benefited individuals and individual companies, not the sector as a whole.
Goswami highlighted data from the last three days, saying IndiGo had canceled 1,232 flights in November. He broke down the reasons for the cancellations: 755 linked to crew and FDTL constraints, 258 due to airspace and airport restrictions, 92 because of failures in air traffic control systems, 127 for other reasons.
He said passengers in India are often “taken for granted” and that only in this country can such large-scale cancellations take place without consequences.
Throughout the debate, Goswami repeatedly returned to the theme of duopoly. He said Air India and IndiGo together control 91.5 percent of the aviation market, leaving only a small share for others like Akasa and SpiceJet. This, he said, gives the two big players the power to decide prices and escape accountability.
“They can set the prices. They can torture passengers. They can be not answerable for air crashes.” He added.
Goswami also questioned why such a structure is allowed to exist if the government claims it opposes monopolies. He asked whether the government has made Air India accountable after the recent air crash, and said he did not believe so.
“We are told that the Modi government does not like monopolies. First of all, I don't agree with that. There are too many monopolies happening.” He said.
The anchor accused Air India of operating aircraft that were not airworthy and said no serious action followed. According to him, any other minister in charge of civil aviation would have been removed after such incidents, but nothing happened.
“He is not answerable. And why is the central government not bothered about it? Because he comes from the TDP, an alliance party. So let him do,” he said.
He added that Air India continues to seek government support, including compensation for losses after the Sindhur episode. Goswami questioned why public money should be used to support the airline, drawing a comparison with the earlier controversy involving Vijay Mallya seeking help from the Manmohan Singh government a move that was labelled as scam.
Goswami said passengers are suffering because of delayed flights, sudden cancellations, and lack of compensation. He criticised the DGCA, saying it was not enforcing safety and operational norms. He also questioned why the Prime Minister’s Office had not intervened.
He noted that Republic had carried multiple exposés on these issues and claimed that Air India chooses to give interviews and advertisements only to other channels.
He also called for Parliament to debate the aviation mess and examine whether monopolies or duopolies should be allowed in a nation of India’s size.
“I'm sure the government's not going to be happy with us saying this, but someone's got to speak up for the people of this country.” He added.
Known by his critics as the “Godi Media Chief”, Goswami’s direct attack on the Modi government over civil aviation raised eyebrows across media circles.
Whether this is a one-off outburst or a sign of a new editorial direction is something viewers will be watching closely.
#AviationCollapse | India’s aviation sector is in turmoil as IndiGo’s mass cancellations and Air India’s alleged safety lapses leave passengers stranded. The disruption raises serious questions about airline management, regulatory oversight, and who is ultimately responsible for… pic.twitter.com/Dqt6pcoW8w
— Republic (@republic) December 4, 2025
