Opposition in India protests against demonetisation drive

Opposition parties in India on Wednesday protested outside parliament against the pullout of 500 and 1,000 currency notes from circulation.

Protestors staged the demonstration against a demonetisation drive, which has so far claimed 70 lives, and chanted slogans against Indian PM Narendra Modi. They held placards with slogans: "Stop the persecution of common people" and "Save poor people".

The opposition parties will stage a nationwide protest on November 28 in solidarity with the masses affected by the demonetisation drive.

According to the Indian media, Modi is speculated to attend the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Indian parliament) on Thursday after the protests.

Earlier this month, the Indian premier ordered pullout of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes from circulation in a shock announcement in order to tackle widespread corruption and tax evasion.

PM Modi said, while people could exchange their old notes for new bills at banks or post offices until the end of the year, or deposit them in their accounts, they would no longer be legal tender from midnight on November 8.

"To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the 500 and 1,000-rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from midnight that is 8 November, 2016," he said in a televised address to the nation.