Banned from India!
The sentiments of boycotting Chinese products has been prevailing amidst us Indians from a very long time now; however, recently after the fatal border dispute between, the anti-china sentiment has been on the sudden rise.
A few traders in the country had protested by burning the Chinese products, demanding revenge and severing the trade ties. Meanwhile, a video went viral on social media where people from the city of Ahemdabad hurled the Chinese tv set down their balconies to show their rage against the Chinese goods. The first among many such incidences of boycott china protest across the country could be the protests outside Oppo’s Greater Noida factory that sent shockwaves across the corridors of Chinese majors operating in India.
Many people led by politicians were seen registering their protest by burning an effigy of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese flag. In Mumbai, BJP MLA Ram Kadam was photographed by PTI burning China-made products. Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Jitendra Awhad called for the Delhi-Meerut Metro project to be scrapped as its contractor is a Chinese company. “After the talk of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ [self-reliant India], the contract has been awarded to a Chinese company,” he tweeted. “Who gave the contract? Under whose jurisdiction the Railways comes? Is it not the Centre?”
There were many demonstrations seen in several cities of India. “I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct a surgical strike against China in the same way it was done against Pakistan. We have burnt pictures of the Chinese President and their flag to show our rage,” a few protesters from Patna said.
Major Ranjit Singh (retired), who is also president of the RWA, lashed out at the “brutal murder” of Indian soldiers and demanded that people boycott China-made goods. He also said it was “unfortunate we cannot take up guns and bullets. You must have all got to know what happened. By treachery, unarmed officers and soldiers of the Indian Army were brutally murdered by the Chinese. This was total betrayal… nothing but murder. Today, as your president, I declare Defence Colony is at war. Unfortunately, we cannot take up guns and bullets but definitely, there are other means. We can break China’s backbone economically and today I request you all, with immediate effect, shun Chinese goods and if you have any lying in your house, please throw them out,” he added.
Prompting a swift and theatrical backlash on streets, the calls to boycott China-made goods and apps was made official as the Government of India has decided to ban on 59 Chinese apps, including Tik Tok. The move to ban these Chinese apps will “safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace”, a government press release announcing the ban stated. Criticism and backlash from Indian authorities against Chinese applications have been ongoing. This marks the largest sweep against the Chinese technology companies.
Here’s the list of application to be banned from India both in mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices: TikTok, Shareit, Kwai, UC Browser, Baidu map, Shein, Clash of Kings, DU battery saver, Helo, Likee, YouCam makeup, Mi Community, CM Browers, Virus Cleaner, APUS Browser, ROMWE, Club Factory, Newsdog, Beutry Plus, WeChat, UC News, QQ Mail, Weibo, Xender, QQ Music, QQ Newsfeed, Bigo Live, SelfieCity, Mail Master, Parallel Space, Mi Video Call Xiaomi, WeSync, ES File Explorer, Viva Video QU Video Inc Meitu, Vigo Video, New Video Status, DU Recorder, Vault- Hide, Cache Cleaner DU App studio, DU Cleaner, DU Browser, Hago Play With New Friends, Cam Scanner, Clean Master Cheetah Mobile, Wonder Camera, Photo Wonder, QQ Player, We Meet, Sweet, Selfie, Baidu, Translate, Vmate, QQ International, QQ Security Center, QQ Launcher,U Video, V fly Status Video, Mobile Legends, DU Privacy
But the question remains, can India afford to put a halt on Chinese products and services? Can China afford to be boycotted from a huge market like India?
By Karishma Gwalani
