‘Big people will come and take our jobs’

Protesters were shouting slogans like "down down FDI" and "down down Wallmart"

By Rutvick Mehta

BANGALORE (Dec. 1)—Opposing the government’s proposal to allow foreign direct investment in the multibrand retail sector, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry announced a statewide bandh (strike) and held protests on K.G. Road on Thursday morning.

K. Shiva Shanmugam, senior vice president of FKCCI, told The SoftCopy, “Until the government provides employment security, food security and takes some steps for the social security of all the people involved in small trades, FDI should not be even thought about.”

He said in the current scenario, FDI would kill self-employment. The organization plans to submit a memorandum to the Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda in the next couple of days.

“We will fight till it is roll backed,” Shanmugam said. “All major political parties in India are opposing this move. We will discuss our problems with the chief minister and make sure that FDI is not implemented in the state.”

The Center has proposed a move to allow 51 percent FDI in the multibrand retail sector and the proposal is opposed by most states.

The protesters in Bangalore shouted slogans including “Down, down, FDI!” and “Down, down Walmart!”

The protest had many kids and teenagers who had very little idea about the reason why they were there.

“It is like the East India Company coming to India all over again,” said Ashok Varda, a garment trader. “I do not mind losing out on one day or 10 days of my business due to our protests—that is better than losing my livelihood.”

Most of the shops in areas such as Chickpet and K.G. Road were shut today due to the protests.

But a majority of the people participating in this protest were teenagers who had little clue why they were there.

“I do not know in detail why I am here and why the protest is happening, but I know some big people from outside will come and take our jobs,” said Sarwan, a 16-year-old boy who sells clothes for a garment company.