PROTEST: Unique cartoon protest against FDI in Retail

New Delhi, December 17, 2012: To demonstrate their anguish, resentment and strong opposition to FDI in Retail, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), apex body of the trading community of the Country today declared to hold a “Khudra Swarajya Rally” (Retail Democracy Rally) at New Delhi in the month of March, 2013 during the budget session of the Parliament.

The final date of the rally will be announced at a National Convention of Retail Stakeholders scheduled to be held on January 1 next under the umbrella of the “Khudra FDI Virodhi Rashtriya Morcha (KFVRM), a joint coalition of retail stakeholders – announced at Jaipur today by CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal, while addressing a press conference here today after conclusion of two days National Convention of Trade Leaders of the country on December 16-17^.

To make the rally a grand success, a two months “Khudra Swarajya Abhiyaan” across the Country will begin from January 1 next. To make people aware of the detrimental impact of FDI in Retail, beside adopting all democratic tools, the CAIT will launch an innovative Cartoon Protest and social sites including Facebook and Twitter will be used in a constructive way. The CAIT strongly condemned the statement of Union Minister Manish Tiwari for advocating legalising of lobbying in India.

Both Bhartia and Khandelwal  while addressing the press conference informed that from January 1 to February 28 next, a two months “ Khudra Swarajaya Rashtriya Abhiyan” will be launched across the country. During the two months period, the trade associations of different states will conduct “ Sampark Yatra, Chaupal Charcha, Torch Procession, Demonstrations and Sit-In, Effigy Burning of FDI and other democratic tools to demonstrate the protest. Trade Delegations will meet MPs and MLA, Chief Ministers and President of all political parties in their respective state and will submit protest memorandum. 

A distinctive signature campaign of obtaining signatures of cross section of people  on “Sankalp Patra” to pledge not to vote Parties supporting FDI will also be conducted across the country . State level and district level conventions of retail stakeholders will be organised during the two months period against FDI in Retail.

To make the movement more affective a special campaign through social media including Facebook and Twitter will also be launched. A “Cartoon Protest” will go simultaneously in which special cartoons reflecting protest against FDI in Retail will also be launched and assistance of distinguished cartoonist of the country will be borrowed to make it a new impressive and effective tool of protest. Series of protests will also be held all over country by holding live demonstration of interesting “phrases” into reality which will depict the anger and protest of the traders on FDI in Retail.

The two days convention which ended today passed a unanimous resolution condemning Union I&B Minister Manish Tiwari for his statement of legalising lobbying in the country. Alleging him to favour global giants, the CAIT said that such statement runs contrary to the assurance of preamble of Indian Constitution which assures social, economic and political justice to the citizens of India. The statement of Tiwari is very derogatory in as much as it promotes corruption in the country and a threat to tradition Indian culture, they saud. “Such a statement from a Union Minister is a serious matter and the government and UPA should disclose their official stand on this issue, demanded traders”, they said.

The CAIT will shortly release a detailed statement on discussion on other important issues discussed in the convention from its national headquarters at New Delhi, they said.