Mumbai (AsiaNews
/ Agencies) - At least 50 million people in India have joined the nationwide
strike today, organized by opposition parties and trade unions to protest
against the opening of the retail market to foreign superstore chains. Schools,
shops and offices were closed in several parts of the country, and public
transport services have been suspended or blocked by the population. The
protest has garnered most support in states led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, ultra-nationalist Hindu party in
opposition) in Bangalore (Karnataka), the headquarters of large foreign
multinationals like IBM have decided to remain closed for ' whole day. Beyond
the inconvenience caused by the various shutdowns, so far the protest has been
largely peaceful.
Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh announced the contested reform on September 14 last.
The plan allows for up to 51% of foreign direct investment from large
international chains (Carrefour, Walmart), and 100% for brands (Nokia, Reebok).
For
the prime minister, the measure will give new impetus to the economy, which
last year registered a decline in growth.
According
to the opposition, the reform will directly affect the small retailers in the
country, forced to close with the entry of large foreign chains. A
shopkeeper in New Delhi said: "These supermarkets can sell products at
cost price. This means that many people will lose their customers". In
India, the retail market provides employment to more than 40 million people. More
than 90% of internal trade is through small local retailers.
In
addition to the opposition, even some allies of the UPA government (United
Progressive Alliance) are opposed to the reform of the retail market. First
in line, the Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee (also chief minister of West
Bengal): if the measure goes through, the political leader says he will
withdraw his party from the government with the resignation of its six
ministers. However,
even if Banjeree carries out his threat, the Singh executive would not be in
crisis (yet).