Hundreds gather in Mumbai to protest FDI in retail

Hundreds of small retailers on Wednesday gathered at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai to protest against the entry of foreign direct investment in retail ventures like that of Bharti-Walmart.

Protesters, including retail traders, wholesalers, hawkers and mathadi workers, mainly hailing from areas around Mumbai, started gathering for the protest, organised under the banner of Federation of Associations of Maharashtra, amid a heavy security cover.

The protest from retailers in the state follows similar ones staged in Kerala, Orissa and UP against the entry of large foreign multinationals and Indian corporates in the retail sector.

There have been violent protests against retail chains in Uttar Pradesh, which led to the state government stalling the expansion plans of Reliance Retail.

FAM had said that there would be a voluntary shutdown of trade across the state for the protest rally in Mumbai on Wednesday. (PTI)

Photograph: Arun Patil