While shops on Avenue Road, MG Road and Brigade Road greeted visitors with their shutters down, it was business as usual in KR Market, Commercial Street and Chickpet.
The all India trade bandh called by traders to protest against 51% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector evoked a mixed response on Thursday.
While shops on Avenue Road, MG Road and Brigade Road greeted visitors with their shutters down, it was business as usual in KR Market, Commercial Street and Chickpet. People arriving at the MG Road Metro station were greeted with the sight of a deserted street. Vishwanatha, a garment store owner in Chickpet, said: “We are against MNCs. How can the government let this happen!”
Retailers are worried their business would be hit if the move is not opposed. “We have decided that if need be, we will follow this up for more days,” said Haripriya K, manager of a silk store in Chickpet.
Nisar Ahmed, who sells wallets on Brigade Road, said: “Despite the loss I have had to suffer, I decided to join the strike as this loss is only for a day or two. If FDI is allowed, then it is small-time salesmen like me who will suffer.”
In KR Market, however, it was a different scene. “We were not taken into confidence and hence we are not participating in the bandh. But we certainly condemn the government’s move,” said Varadharaju, a grocery store owner.
Shops on Commercial Street, too, remained open as many traders claimed that they did not know about the bandh. “When I came here this morning, shops were open and business was going on as usual. I did not even know there was a bandh today,” said Mansoor, a shop-owner.
“I needed the holiday,” said Syed Salman, who sells accessories such as earrings and bangles on Brigade Road. “We work seven days a week and today we got the much-needed break to conduct maintenance work in our stalls,” he said. “At least 20-30 customers stopped by since morning but we did not sell anything today,” he added.
A few traders decided to begin business after 4pm. “We support the protest and we are against FDI in retail. But we also have to pay rent. Our shops were closed all morning but in the evening we will open them,” said Ritesh Aghariya of Ethnic Handicrafts.
Rumours of three-day bandh.
Although there are rumours doing the rounds that the bandh will continue till Saturday, the FKCCI has confirmed that shops will be open from Friday. With regard to intensifying the protests, FKCCI spokesperson said: “We will wait for the government’s decision. We have expressed our displeasure. We hope the government will heed to it. As of now, there has been no decision on intensifying the stir.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}