In a matter of fifty days, the Centre’s demonetization drive has managed to do the unimaginable. Apart from the many search and seizures, this radical move has also had an unintended consequence- premature deaths of atleast fifty people across the country. The Quint traces three such families, each saddled with grief of unimaginable proportions.
Ramkali’s house in a dusty Muzaffarnagar lane has fallen quiet all of a sudden. The 80-year-old, quite understandably, was not in the pink of her health when she visited a nationalised bank to withdraw new currency notes. Ramkali had set out to see her doctor, making a short detour to the bank. But fate would have it otherwise. In the presence of her grandchildren and many others, Ramkali collapsed at the bank while standing in a queue. An hour later, she made it to the hospital, albeit in a lifeless state.
After much coaxing, her daughter in law managed to withdraw Rs 6000. Ramkali’s son now blames the bank and demonetisation for his mother’s death.
But Ramkali is not alone. In Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura, the family of Uma Shankar is now spending sleepless nights. Having lost their sole breadwinner to demonetisation, the family has very little food to eat.
But more heart wrenching is the tale of Kallol Roy Chowdhury, who passed away while standing at an ATM queue near West Bengal’s Bandel station. Roy was changing trains at the busy junction, when he spotted a relatively less crowded SBI ATM. Roy, witnesses say, fell on the ground, after complaining of uneasiness. Yet, no one came to his rescue. Those who had lined before the ATM maintained their ground as they watched Roy die a slow, yet painful and death.
Video: The Quint
Music: Big Bang Fuzz