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For a year since November 8 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation in a televised address to the nation, there has been endless criticism of the shock decision to ban high-currency notes. Even though Modi seemed to have gained electorally from his decision, indicating popular support, he has been held responsible by a number of experts for job losses, bringing the GDP down and crippling small businesses with his ill-conceived move. Eminent economists such as former RBI chief Raghuram Rajan too has spoken out against the move.But after a year—enough time to see the results of demonetisation—more people support Modi on demonetisation than those who criticise him.An online survey conducted by Economictimes.com to mark the anniversary of demonetisation showed significant support for Modi's controversial move. In response to the question, 'Overall, how do you rate demonetisation?', 38% said it was a success. 30% said it had mixed results. Only 32% said it was a failure.A total of over 10,000 ET Online readers had responded to the survey.Only 26% thought demonetisation damaged the economy for longer term. 32% said it made the economy more transparent while 42% said it made the economy more transparent but with some collateral damage.On the impact of demonetisation on jobs—a hot-button issue for Modi critics—only 23% said it had a long-term negative impact on jobs. 45% said it reduced a number of jobs in the short term while 32% said it had no impact on jobs. 77% not seeing any long-term loss of jobs due to demonetisation shows that most of the people don't buy into the argument that demonetisation killed jobs.It's not clear if Modi has kept people by his side with his charismatic rhetoric despite failure of demonetisation or his opponents are plain wrong, but people don't see demonetisation as a decision that wrecked a growing economy.This is more evident from responses to the question, 'If Modi bans Rs 2,000 currency note, how will it impact the economy?'. 56% said it would hit black-money hoarders. 31% said it would bring down economic growth. 13% say it would adversely impact honest businesses. This means if Modi does another round of demonetisation, he is sure to have some popular support.Despite massive criticism of demonetisation and its impact by experts as well as common citizens, Modi has been able to convince people that he took this step in larger public interest and not due to any vested interest. In response to the question, 'What was Modi's real purpose behind demonetisation?', 71% said his purpose was to reduce black money in the economy. 15% said it was to get the votes of the poor while 14% said it was to divert attention from communal issues.The overall picture that the survey presents is this: demonetisation may have led to short-term pain but Modi did it in public interest and it has not ruined the economy.Popular support was evident from post-demonetisation elections in Uttar Pradesh in which Modi helped his party win a landslide victory. If people continue to support Modi on demonetisation, it means critics of demonetisation in the opposition parties are themselves damaging their electoral prospects by barking up the wrong tree.