September 18th, 2012
As the Govt. is in crisis after the pull out by 19 members of parliament of the Trinmool Congress in opposition to FDI in Multi Brand Retail, India is all set for a historical Bharat Bandh (all India strike) on 20th September. Our campaign allies including associations of street vendors, hawkers, independent shopkeepers, trade unions are all set for a complete bandh on 20th September to oppose FDI in retail.
All major markets would keep their shutters down throughout India. Markets in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh were closed on 18th Sept to oppose FDI in retail. Markets of both states will again remain closed on 20th September. As per reports of various trade and hawkers associations, there would be total bandh in other states as well including Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Tamilnadu.
In Delhi, more than 300 trade associations would actively participate in the strike. Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, All Delhi Chemist Association, Delhi Hindustani Mercantile Association, Kirana Committee, Chemical Merchants Association, Delhi Grain Merchant Association, Khari Bawli Sarva Vyapar Mandal, Chandni Chowk Sarva Vyapar Mandal, Delhi Electrical Traders Association, Federation of Delhi Trade Association, Rang Rasayan Vyapar Sangh, New Lajpat Roy Market Traders Association, Paper Merchant Association, Delhi Wedding and Greeting Cards Merchants Association, Delhi File Vikreta Sangh, Delhi Iron and Hardware Merchant association, Delhi Steel Tools and Hardware Traders Association, Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association, Confederation of Sadar Bazaar Traders Association, Kamla Nagar Jawahar Nagar Traders Association, Naraina Iron and Steel Merchant welfare association, Karol Bagh Traders Federation, Ajmal Khan Vyapar Mandal, Delhi Scooter Traders Association, New Delhi Traders Association, General Machinery Merchants Association, Readymade Garments Association, Khan Market Traders Associations, Automotive parts merchants association, Tractor parts merchants association, peepal Mahadev Traders Association, Daal and Besan Millers Association, Lajpat Nagar Traders Association, Laxmi Nagar Traders Association, Association of Readymade garment dealers, Barna steel metal merchant association, Delhi canvas merchant association, Delhi Tyres Dealers Association, Delhi Building Material Merchant association, Delhi Vegetable Oil Traders Association, Rajdhani Oil Suppliers Association, Gaffar Market Vyapar Mandal, Karol Bagh ewellers Association, Subhash Road Readymade Garment association, Kutub Road Traders Association, Surgical Traders Association, Sri Niwas puri Shopkeepers Association, Chandrawal Road Shopkeepers Association, Beeranpura Handloom Traders Association, Delhi Glass Bottles Traders Association, Ashok Vihar Traders Association, Shahadara Traders Association and many more have extended their support to the bandh.
Street Vendors and shopkeepers would organize protests and burn effigies of FDI in Retail in over hundred places through out Delhi. Leaders of various political parties are expected to join these protests. National Hawker Federation, Confederation of All India Traders, Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal etc. would organize protests at the Parliament as well.
