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Demonetisation: PM Says Govt Won't Trouble Innocent Citizens, But Those Guilty Will Be Punished

"Give me your support till 30 December."
ANI/ Twitter

BELGAUM -- Urging the people to give him support till 30 December on demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government would never trouble innocent citizens, but at the same time, it wants to ensure that those who are guilty are punished.

"This Government will never trouble innocent citizens, and at the same time, the Government wants to ensure those who are guilty are punished. Give me your support till December 30," said the Prime Minister at the valedictory function of the year-long centenary celebrations of the Karnataka Lingayat Education (KLE) Society in Belgaum.

Modi said, "The Congress is questioning me why did I ban the 500/1000 notes; did I question them when they banned the 25 paisa? The Congress banned 25 paise coin, because that is what their power was limited to."

"What was the news in 2012, 2013 and first half of 2014- the scams, the corruption...did you see their condition after 8 November. On the night of 8 November, the poor in India were sleeping peacefully, while the rich had gone out to buy sleeping pills," said Prime Minister Modi.

"There is pain here, but what is more is gain for the country. People who didn't drop 25 paise in the Ganga are now dropping ₹500/1000 in the river," said the Prime Minister, adding that he would not stop after 30 December.

Earlier, speaking at a function in Panaji, Goa, he said he left his home and family for the nation.

Modi, who was speaking for the first time on demonetisation after announcing the decision on 8 November, also used the occasion to hit back at those questioning his bold and effective step to combat corruption and menace of black money.

"This is an important step towards eradicating corruption and black money but some people are lost in their own world. If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he added.

Silencing his critics, the Prime Minister said that his decision was not a display of arrogance but aimed at fulfilling the commitments made to the nation.

"I was not born for sit on a chair of high office. Whatever I had, my family, my home...I left it for the nation," Prime Minister Modi said.

"Yes I also feel the pain. These steps taken were not a display of arrogance. I have seen poverty and understand the problems of the people," he added.

Training his guns on the opposition, Prime Minister Modi said that he was extremely aware of the fact that they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble.

"Why do we have to put the future of our youth at stake? Those who want to do politics are free to do so," Prime Minister Modi said after laying the foundation for two major projects here.

"I know the forces up against me, they may not let me live, they may ruin me because their loot of 70 years is in trouble but am prepared," he added.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.