Dear PM Narendra Modi, joke on demonetisation not really funny

Critics say Prime Minister Narendra Modi should avoid cracking jokes about demonetisation.

New Delhi, Nov 21: On Saturday, while addressing a crowd of 80,000 via video conference during the Coldplay concert in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked his critics for vocally opposing demonetisation of high-value currency notes.

Although this time, his attack was in the form of a joke, which many said was in bad taste.

The PM poked fun at his own singing abilities. However, he didn't forget to link the joke to demonetisation.

"You have been smart in asking me to only address the gathering, and not sing," he said.

"Else, I am pretty sure your audience would be asking you for their money back. And that too in 100 rupee notes."

Even after 13 days, since Modi in an address to the nation announced the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, people are struggling to withdraw legal tender from banks and ATM kiosks.

In such a scenario, when anger against the "hasty and unplanned" move by the government is quite palpable among the masses, the PM could have easily avoided repeatedly making fun about the whole process, say critics.

During his visit to Japan, Modi was seen laughing and telling the audience, mostly Indians diaspora, that in homes that are preparing for wedding ceremonies, there is suddenly a cash crunch after demonetisation.

His critics say Modi should not make light of the inconvenience caused to millions, especially in a foreign shore.

Modi also quoted Nobel laureate Bob Dylan's famous song "The Times They Are A-Changin" to slam his political opponents, while addressing the audience at the rock concert.

Modi said, "Come mothers and fathers, throughout the land, and don't criticise, what you can't understand."

"Your sons and your daughters, are beyond your command. Your old road is rapidly agin. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand, for the times they are a-changin," the PM quoted Dylan's lines from the cult song.

This is how PM's opponents reacted to his rock concert address:

The cold play while the poor suffer!

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 19, 2016

Since @narendramodi ji is such a fan of quoting Bob Dylan lyrics, here's a Dylan tune specially for him: pic.twitter.com/7jW8iogK7z

— Nehr-who? (@threeinchfooll) November 19, 2016

Bob Dylan when he heard Modi has quoted him pic.twitter.com/iNKDVB0v8f

— Ajay Singh (@ajaxsingh) November 19, 2016

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