Mysuru: Noted economist, writer and National Co-Convenor, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Prof. Ashwani Mahajan gave a passionate plea to boycott Chinese goods that is damaging Indian economy.  

Mahajan, who is also the Associate Professor of Economics and a known name in the field of economics as author, columnist, speaker and policy interventionist, was in the city this morning to deliver the key-note address at a seminar “Confronting Various Challenges Posed by China” at Madhava Krupa. The seminar was organised by Manthana Mysuru and Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Mysuru.

The Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has upped the ante against government’s policies that it blames for the proliferation of Chinese products in Indian markets.

“While terrorism, border security, internal and external threats are hotly-debated topics, nobody is speaking about the economic threat posed by Chinese goods. Promotion of Swadeshi products should not be seen as a protectionist policy. It is safeguarding the interests of the nation and creating job opportunities, promoting a market for indigenous products. Why do we need to depend on China or any other country for something that we can create or produce indigenously,” he questioned.

Mahajan, who has been frequently delivering lectures at Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Parliament of India to Civil Servants, Parliamentarians Forum and Academic Staff College, said that in 2016-2017, India imported 7 billion worth of goods and of it 24 percent was Chinese imports.

“China had taken “advantage” of Indian market but was consistently hostile to New Delhi. China was building a military base in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and had blocked India’s move to declare Masood Azhar as an international terrorist,” he said.

Speaking about the mass movement that has been initiated by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch to boycott Chinese goods, Mahajan said that the Manch is observing 2017 as “anti-China year”. As part of this campaign, the Manch has so far got over 75 lakh pledges by people to reject “substandard” Chinese products. Door-to-door campaigns, yatras and intellectuals’ meetings are being organised to push “Swadeshi” products.

“Perhaps for the first time after independence, a certain consensus has arisen among people against Chinese products owing to its anti-India stand on various issues and this is going to add to the zeal against buying Chinese goods despite cheaper prices,” Mahajan said and added that China was a threat to  Indian economy.

He added it was “unfortunate” that while China was creating problems for India, the central and State Governments were entering into investment agreements with Chinese companies. “Some State Governments are even organising conventions to attract Chinese investment. This trend needs to be curbed and no new investment agreement should be made with China,” he said.

“There is an invasion of goods from China, which is killing our own manufacturing. We want the government to put curbs on imports from China. Even developed countries are beginning to turn from globalisation to protectionism,” he said.

Founder and Managing Director, Skanray Technologies Vishwaprasad Alva, noted paediatrician Dr. Vaman Rao Bapat, Mallaraje Urs, Ravikumar and N.R. Manjunatha and others were present.