Bharat Bandh: Retailers call for nationwide protest against Walmart-Flipkart deal, shop sealing; major shopping hubs closed

Traders and retailers on Friday have taken to street in almost 500 cities to protest against the acquisition of e-commerce firm Flipkart by US-based retail giant Walmart.

About 7 crore small businesses all over the country are expected to participate in the bandh. (PTI)

Traders and retailers on Friday have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ and taken to street in almost 500 cities to protest against the acquisition of e-commerce firm Flipkart by US-based retail giant Walmart and foreign directed investment (FDI) in retail sector. Organised by the Confederation of All India Traders (CIAT), the nationwide strike is called at Competition Commission of India (CCI) to discard the proposal of Walmart to acquire 77 per cent stake in Flipkart. The trade body has also asked the CCI to set up a standard policy for e-commerce companies and to form a regulatory body for the segment. “All commercial markets across the country will remain closed and no commercial activity will take place. About 7 crore small businesses all over the country are expected to participate in the bandh,” CAIT said in a statement. While speaking to news agency PTI, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that a protest will be held at Janata Mantar in national capital against the Walmart-Flipkar deal and FDI in retail. The Union Cabinet, in January, had approved 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail through automatic route and also relaxed the local sourcing norms. Traders in Delhi are also demanding circulation of an ordinance to put a halt on sealing of shops in Delhi. Besides FDI, the Delhi Trade Bandh is also focussing on sealing issue demanding the government to bring an ordinance to protect Delhi from sealing. To lodge their strong protest, the Delhi traders in large numbers will also join a Protest Dharna at Jantar Mantar tomorrow displaying their anguish and resentment," CAIT statement read further. Even the West Bengal traders’ body joined the nationwide protest against Walmart-Flipkart deal. Speaking about the same, CIAT’s Rabishankar Roy said, “It is for the first time in the country that about seven crore voters across the country will participate in a Bharat Trade Bandh on September 28 for protection of their rights and business.” “Though West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged to reconsider the bandh owing to festive season, but as the strike call is at the national level, we don't have any right to reconsider,” Roy added further. Prominent market in the national capital including Connaught Place, Chawri Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, South Extension, Lajpat Nagar etc. will remain closed today. CAIT has also alleged that the Monitoring Committee is conducting sealing in various parts of the national capital as per its own wishes irrespective of provision mentioned in MCD Act. The trade body also stated that the government should bring an ordinance to provide relief to traders from sealing with an Amnesty Scheme, declaring maintenance of status quo as on December 2017.