Demonetisation anniversary: Eight years later memes on Twitter are still on fire, and this time, it’s funnier than ever

It’s been eight years since demonetisation hit India, and if Twitter (mainly known as X) is anything to go by, the collective memory is as fresh as ever—and so are the memes! On November 8, 2016, the government announced a surprise overhaul by banning Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes overnight to tackle black money and reduce cash circulation. What followed was a national rollercoaster of endless ATM queues, bewildered citizens, and, of course, hilarious internet reactions that have since become the stuff of legends.

8 Years of demonetisation

With hashtags like #Demonanniversary and #DEMONetisation, Twitter users flooded the internet, reminiscing about the “good old days” before the cash ban and revisiting some of the era’s funniest yet painfully relatable memes. The real kicker? PM Modi’s infamous line: “Give me 50 days, burn me alive if I’m wrong.” This comment is one of the top viral sound bites, and netizens still love roasting it annually. Twitteratis never fails to serve up fresh doses of satire, poking fun at the chaos that ensued back in 2016. And it wasn’t just a one-time thing—every year, people dig up the same iconic moments to remind everyone of the whirlwind.

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Memes on demonetisation

To add fuel to the meme fire, a video of Arvind Kejriwal calling demonetisation a “scam” has gone viral, adding a new twist to the social media nostalgia trip. But not all of it is in jest. Many use these memes as a reminder of the hardships faced, the lost workdays, and the economic challenges the move triggered, making it an interesting blend of humour and social critique.

One of the most popular memes revisits the initial theory that the new Rs 2000 notes could be tracked by income tax authorities—a rumour that some found ridiculous yet hilariously memorable. Comments like “Only in India” and playful nicknames like “Modinomics” are part of the yearly roast, showing just how much of a cultural impact demonetisation had on the country.

About demonetisation

Today, demonetisation serves as both a cautionary tale and a favourite meme category. The move might have been aimed at transforming the economy, but it’s clear that it also transformed social media into a battleground of humour, scepticism, and, above all, an eternal source of amusement. Whether it’s making us laugh or sigh, these memes have turned the whole episode into a historic internet moment, reminding us that sometimes, humour really is the best way to deal with the chaos.