Bihar panchayat calls for boycott of Chinese goods this Deepavali

A woman sarpanch here not only asked residents to boycott Chinese goods during Deepavali and Chhath festivals, but also threatened punitive action if the diktat is not followed.

The move comes in the wake of anger brewing against China, which sided with Pakistan in the aftermath of India’s surgical strike along the LoC following the Uri terror attack last month.

“The idea to boycott Chinese goods during the festivals is simply to teach China a lesson for backing Pakistan at a time when the neighbouring country has been virtually isolated for exporting terror,” said Gudia Devi, sarpanch of Obra panchayat, some 250 km from here. The sarpanch, in her mid-30s, deals with legal matters in the three-tier panchayat system. She has administered an oath to around 200 people not to use Chinese goods during Deepavali and Chhath. The sale of electronic lights, diyas and toys is quite high during the festive season.

“Someone has to take an initiative. Given the kind of support China extended to Pakistan, all Indians should join hands to boycott Chinese goods. If we can make a small beginning from Obra, I am sure such a boycott will have a cascading effect on the Chinese economy. We have, therefore, decided to impose penalty on all those who do not follow the panchayat order,” said Gudia.

But local businessmen, who procured Chinese items for sale, are not impressed with the boycott call. They fear huge losses  during the festive month. “We may incur huge losses if the panchayat directive is followed,” said Sanjay, a local trader.