Goodbye Chinese goods: Swadeshi Jagran Manch says India needs to conserve identity
days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged citizens to abandon the tendency of buying Chinese goods, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch says that the country needs to conserve its identity and of its products against an 'invasion' of merchandise from overseas.
In Short
- RSS has dedicated its annual India-only products fair in the Capital to the boycott of all foreign goods, mostly from China.
- RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged citizens to abandon the tendency of buying Chinese goods
- Activists also burnt the effigies of Madhya Pradesh ministers on Wednesday to protest invitations to Chinese companies.
Buy swadeshi this Diwali to get a bang for your buck. That appears to be the message from an RSS affiliate, which has dedicated its annual India-only products fair in the Capital to the boycott of all foreign goods, mostly from China.
The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), the economic wing of the Sangh Parivar that seeks to promote indigenous industries and culture, says that the country needs to conserve its identity and of its products against an 'invasion' of merchandise from overseas.
SWADESHI JAGRAN MANCH PROMOTES INDIAN PRODUCTS
The development comes days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged citizens to abandon the tendency of buying goods, including foreign-made statues of Indian gods and goddesses, simply because they are cheaper.
"This mela is to encourage the spirit of self-reliance and swadeshi," said Ashwani Mahajan, national convenor of SJM. "Apart from providing an opportunity to craftsmen, these events also bring to consumers things that are not readily available in the market. We are trying to provide an alternative to foreign products that have crept into our lives, especially Chinese ones."
SJM activists also burnt the effigies of Madhya Pradesh ministers on Wednesday to protest invitations to Chinese companies for the Global Investors Summit to be held in the BJP-ruled state this week.
HERE'S WHY
Analysts see this as a reaction to Beijing's overt support to Islamabad amid flaring tensions between India and Pakistan following the Uri attack.
"Perhaps for the first time after independence, a certain consensus has arisen among people against Chinese products owing to its anti-India stand on various issues and this is going to add to the zeal against buying Chinese goods despite cheaper prices," Mahajan said
The SJM has been extremely categorical in its hostility towards foreign products and the 'ill-effects' of globalisation on Indian manufactures and artisans, so much so that it has come into conflict with the BJP government at the Centre on many occasions.
Also read: Chinese goods boycott are hitting Diwali sales of Delhi markets
The fair is witnessing participation from 15 states, and more than 100 stalls have been put up. It is also focusing on marketing products centred around the cow.
The festival will showcase earthen pots and vessels, articles used for decoration and handmade items apart from the usual hand-woven cloths such as saris and also several edible products.