A year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonetised 86 per cent of India’s circulating currency, several ministers of the governing party came forward in defence of the government. Speaking about demonetisation’s success Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday, November 7, said that stone-pelting incidents have come down in Kashmir and flesh trade across India has taken a hit after demonetisation.

“Kashmir me pattharbaji ki ghatna me kami aayi hai, log paise deke patthar fekte the (incidents of stone pelting have come down in Kashmir… people used to take money to throw stones),’’ the Law Minister was reported as saying by The Indian Express. Additionally, he said that there has also been a decrease in flesh trade because pimps used to be paid in cash.

“One year of demonetisation has proved that the decision was in the national interest,’’ Prasad was quoted as saying.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman echoed his thoughts. News agency ANI quoted her as saying that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a decrease in the number of stone pelting incidents in summer of 2017.

The Union Law Minister also took a jibe at the Opposition for observing a ‘black day’ on demonetisation’s anniversary. The Indian Express reported him as saying: “We were to celebrate honesty but Congress wants to observe it as black day. Why is the Congress irritated with honesty?’’

While the BJP is marking demonetisation’s anniversary by observing ‘anti-black money day’, the Opposition is observing it as a ‘black day’.