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November 8 this year was “celebrated” by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government as “Anti-black-money Day”. The day marked the first anniversary of the radical demonetisation of 86% of the currency, whose impact continues to affect the economy. “I bow to the people of India for steadfastly supporting the several measures taken by the government to eradicate corruption and black money,” stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and declared that “125 crore Indians fought a decisive battle and won.”

But despite these assertions, the BJP and Modi were aware of the rising unhappiness and anger about demonetisation and its effects across the country. So, the party commissioned a series of videos to drive home its message that it stands for the eradication of corruption.

The video (above), released on the eve of the anniversary, depicts a “corrupt politician” (who bears more than a passing resemblance to BSP chief Mayawati) ranting against demonetisation and expressing her frustration about how the note ban posed a threat to “hundreds of crores” of black money. She launches into a diatribe against Modi, or as she calls him, “gareebon ka devta” (the saviour of the poor). Ultimately a narrator interrupts, “This is good. Not only her frustration, but also her crores of black money is out in the open.”

The rest of the videos (below), too, preach similar stories.

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