Selective nationalism: SJM picky on 'boycott'

AHMEDABAD: In a case of selective nationalism, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, which recently an effigy of the Madhya Pradesh finance minister for allowing Chinese goods in the market, has decided to welcome the Chinese delegation scheduled to participate in Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) in January 2017.
Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has been making appeals to boycott Chinese goods this Diwali, but has been picky as its office-bearers said that they will not oppose participation of the Chinese delegation as it will bring business to the state.
SJM in PM Narendra Modi's home state said there is nothing wrong in wooing the Chinese delegation and they will not protest against it because Modi has been trying to increase business ties with China. "Our opposition is not against any government. We are against Chinese products because China helps Pakistan and its products are causing harm to our small industries. Besides, we plan our agitations and programmes according to the instructions of the high command," Dhirendra Jethwa, Gujarat state president of SJM, told TOI.
"We have not decided anything about the Chinese delegation at VGS, but as PM Modi has been trying to increase business ties with China, we cannot oppose it," Jethwa added. A delegation of senior Gujarat government officials and representatives of 20 companies are on a five-day tour of China, as part of the international road shows in the run-up to VGGS. A number of business-to-business (B2B) meetings have already taken place.