New Delhi: The day after the US imposed a 50 percent trade tariff on India, RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has made an appeal to people to adopt ‘Swadeshi’ products, urging them to boycott goods from US-based companies like Amazon, Walmart and Flipkart (in which Walmart has a majority stake).
“We have made an appeal to people not to buy goods from companies like Amazon, Flipkart, and Walmart. This is the right time to adopt Swadeshi (indigenous) products,” Ashwini Mahajan, the national co-convenor of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch said.
Mahajan said efforts are being made to ensure e-commerce trade is conducted on Indian platforms for which SJM is in touch with traders and industrialists.
The Modi government has been facing criticism from the Opposition over the 50 percent tariff imposed by the Trump administration.
The economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the SJM, has also decided to carry out demonstrations across the country on 10 August including at Delhi’s Connaught Place against the tariff hike by Donald Trump. Titled ‘Videshi Companies Bharat Choro’, the demonstration will be carried out at 5 pm.
Speaking to ThePrint, Ashwini Mahajan said an appeal has been made to people to boycott foreign goods. “Over 10 crore of our farmers are engaged in the dairy sector. If we do not stop cheap dairy products from coming in, what will happen to our dairy farmers? The dairy issue is also connected to our sentiments,” he said while pointing out that in the US cows are fed non-vegetarian feed, leading to the milk they produce becoming non-vegetarian. Imagine we end up even offering that milk to God. The government’s decision is correct and it should stand firm.”
Mahajan further said that “coercive” tactics such as the tariff will have no impact on the country. “India is emerging as a global power, and the US must realise that this India is not the India of a decade ago,” he added.
Mahajan said the opportunity should be used to make a decisive move towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’”.
“We are of the firm opinion that no country’s development can happen through foreign resources, imports, or foreign technology. It is in this context that the call for a self-reliant India has been given. We are already becoming self-reliant in several sectors including defence, toys, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. We need to boycott goods made in China, Turkey, and the United States including further products of American companies such as Amazon, Walmart and Flipkart,” he explained.
“On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan too we have urged people to use swadeshi products…products made in India. We need to support our people,” he added.
Mahajan also shared a post on social media platform X pledging to boycott American goods.
“I protest against US tariffs against India, boycott American goods. Like Coke, Pepsi, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and KFC, etc. And you?”.
However, speaking to ThePrint, Mahajan clarified that what he had shared was a message being circulated amongst people and reflects the sentiments of people.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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