The mythic appeal of demonetisation
There is no doubt that despite all its drastic side-effects, the demonetisation pill has been swallowed by people. There exists, despite a situation that has stretched the definition of inconvenience beyond all reasonable limits, strong support on the ground for this ‘revolutionary’ move to immobilise India’s fabled parallel economy. This support was palpable from the very first day following the announcement, people proudly stated their support on television channels, while others grudgingly accepted the immediate inconveniences for what they saw as a noble, long-term objective. As the new ground reality sunk in and criticism of the ‘surgical strike against black money’ mounted from all quarters, those who were euphoric and buoyed by the move began to adopt a stance that can only be described as sagely. In everyday conversations, social media exchanges and when faced with a TV news crew people have called for patience, acknowledged the adverse effects of poor implementation but have held on to their belief that for change of such a fundamental nature, some amount of hardship should be accepted as ‘natural’. Those who are in no uncertain terms on the other side of the demonetisation argument, are absolutely dismayed by what they see as a willingness to be brainwashed, ignoring every piece of evidence and rationale that have sought to expose the dangers of accepting a move such as this. Every criticism of import has been presented to the people — questions surrounding the independence of the RBI as the central bank, lack of preparedness of a banking system to deal with the crisis, the plight of cash centric daily wage workers and traders and above all the fact that this ends up targeting only a sliver of the country’s black money pie. The anti-demonetisation brigade, armed with data points, proof of the common man’s suffering, expert opinion and anecdotal evidence, find themselves at their wits end. Every discussion ends with a same lament, ‘how can they not see through this sham? How can they not understand what is happening?’
The problem sometimes with well-articulated arguments is that they appear to carry more influence than they actually do. In this case, given the widespread interest and the proliferation of perspectives these arguments seem like monumental truths, obscuring other unarticulated but potentially more powerful imperatives. The irreconcilable differences between those opposed and those who support demonetisation can be explained by a common theme, change. The critics of the policy see change as a sympathetic restructuring. In this worldview, governments conduct detailed studies, impact analysis and ensure the needs of every section of society have been carefully considered. A view that believes that belligerent change rarely achieves any stability of a lasting kind. Change by definition must have a sound theoretical basis. The support for demonetisation on the other hand, comes from a deeper experiential idea, where change is not a logical construct but a social upheaval of mythic proportions.
Ever since the day of the announcement, people have been thronging ATMs at all hours of the day. During banking hours, every forgotten public sector branch has been recast in their newfound life-saving role as people have thronged their counters to make exchanges and withdrawals. Standing in such queues, chatting with ‘line’ friends, one cannot help but be reminded of an event from the mid 90s. One fine day, in temples and homes across the country Ganesha idols were drinking milk. Indians across the spectrum of society were rushing to their nearest idol to personally experience this miracle. A few years later, in the year 2000, the stars aligned for a Maha Kumbh-mela. Marketed as a once in a lifetime event, made possible by a celestial alignment that happens once every 144 years. The reason I bring these up in the context of queues outside banks and ATMs is that the promise of a cleansing through mass participation speaks to a mythic core of potentially every Indian. When critics of the move accuse supporters of being blind to facts on the ground, they blind themselves to a fundamental experience of Indianness. We respond unconsciously to ideas that correspond with the mythic structures that inhabit our minds. Through its bold step the government promises to deliver us into a new era of prosperity. The revolution itself is a mass purification ritual that is being routinely experienced by a large number of people. As people stand in queues for their own money, ration currency notes of smaller denominations and experience some everyday austerity, they simultaneously submit themselves to a purifying experience, not unlike a dip during the Kumbh-mela. Today thanks to demonetisation, money which has always been at the root of corruption in society, can boast of a power to purify those who have access to it. To the average Indian, the everyday struggles with money no doubt causes distress, but there is in some corner of that same consciousness, a mythical backyard that embraces it like the devotee whose hands embrace purifying fire.
Before people label this as a ‘post-truth’ phenomena and lump it with events that have occurred globally, it is important to take a moment and acknowledge that India never has allowed it’s psyche to be bracketed by the rigidity of reason. That there still exists a deep mythical consciousness with all its intricate workings. This imagination sits well beyond the reach of reason and has the power to shape our responses to events of a certain kind. Demonetisation activates many mythical levers in the Indian consciousness, simultaneously. It creates a world where people undergo hardship for the gift of purity, money itself is reinvented as a purer form. A currency that allows people passage to a future time, a new era that is just, where the hard-working and honest feel rewarded not disadvantaged. Being moved by a mythical narrative, creates on the one hand a powerful inner experience that is personally elevating, while simultaneously participating in an activity for the collective good. There is one crucial element in the demonetisation story that enhances its mythic appeal and that is the promise of a digital future. In this context, the use of the term ‘digital’ has been packed with more meaning than a simple migration to a new technology. It has been presented as the flag bearer of a fairness and efficiency. A sentinel that will guard our economy and our lives against corrupting incursions. A system that cannot be tainted by human greed. Through demonetisation’s struggles we seek to pass into the mythic perfection of a digital yug, bearing many resemblances with the 90’s hindutva call for Ram-rajya.
It is this elixir of mythic renewal and the promise of a ‘digital yug’ that forms the cornerstone of this alternative view of change that resonates with Indian consciousness. It is a mistake to label the support for demonetisation as thoughtless. In a country where systems have historically failed people, the promise of redemption through a great mythical upheaval can sometimes seem like the only way out. The only question that seems worth asking is; how much of a price are we willing to pay to purify ourselves?
