IndiaRetailBiz

What began as a localised protest in Ranchi, where three of the four Reliance ‘Fresh’ shops were vandalised by street vegetable and fruit (v&f) vendors, which later spread to Indore, where protesting vendorsbesides pelted stones also burnt effigy of the Reliance owner, now threatens to be engulfing the business friendly city of Ahmedabad, as well. These protests are gradually gaining importance as they have begun getting open support of non-left politicians and parties, as well.

Rozi Bachao Samiti (RBS) — loosely translated as ‘save livelihood committee’– called for a Bandh of vegetable & fruit (v&f) vendors in Ahmedabad on Sunday, the 27th May. RBS represents interests of over one lakh vegetable & fruit (v&f) vendors in Ahmedabad and claims to have backing of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC). About 5,000 street vendors participated in the protest held on Sunday at Lal Darwaza area of the city.

Holding the big retailers like Subhiksha, Reliance ‘Fresh,’ Big Bazaar and Star Bazaar (Tata owned) to be responsible for threatening the livelihood of its supporters, the Samiti has demanded that they must stop selling vegetables & fruits from their stores within three days failing which RBS will hold a series of protest demonstrations beginning June, 2007. RBS has also decided to burn effigies of retail biggies on the 30th.

Claiming the bandh held on Sunday to be successful, RBS officials said they want retail biggies to close v&f business only. “Other than that they can sell any thing they like.”

In the face of brewing tension, Subhiksha and Reliance ‘Fresh’ have asked for police protection for all their retail outlets in the city. Police sources, meanwhile, have confirmed providing protection to all of their outlets.