Protest

17
Nov 2021
4:42 UTC

India Tactical: Traders’ union to protest countrywide on November 17 against alleged malpractices by e-commerce online platform; maintain vigilance

Please be advised:

  • The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) announced that it will hold protests in 1,000 cities nationwide on November 17. The exact locations and timings are unconfirmed as of writing.  
  • The protest is against the alleged involvement of a prominent e-commerce platform in the sale of drugs. 
  • On November 13, Madhya Pradesh authorities raided an eatery in Bhind District and arrested two individuals with 20 kg of marijuana and packaging material with the online platform’s branding. 

Assessments:

  1. Despite the seemingly isolated nature of the November 13 incident, the CAIT’s objections to online e-commerce platforms’ working are in line with its wider contention that such platforms adopt illegal practices and undercut the business of physical shops. The CAIT has in the past also alleged online e-commerce portals that have foreign funding also have little regard for Indian laws, indicating a nationalist tone of the argument. This is also consistent with the CAIT’s larger support to the Center-ruling, majoritarian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite the intermittent demonstrations against its trade policies.  
  2. Participation in the protests is expected to be in the mid-dozens to low hundreds, with turnouts potentially being higher in larger cities like Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai. There is also a potential for traders from local commercial markets and businesses to participate in the rallies. Even though Delhi has witnessed considerably large protests by the CAIT in the past, participation there may be tempered by the ongoing air pollution that has prompted the government to implement several restrictions on movement. Protests may also be held near the offices of e-commerce companies. Localized travel disruptions are likely near the protest sites. 

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in India on November 17 are advised to maintain vigilance due to the CAIT’s protest call while allotting for travel disruptions near the demonstrations. 

COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Medium
AFFECTED AREA India
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Please be advised:

  • The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) announced that it will hold protests in 1,000 cities nationwide on November 17. The exact locations and timings are unconfirmed as of writing.  
  • The protest is against the alleged involvement of a prominent e-commerce platform in the sale of drugs. 
  • On November 13, Madhya Pradesh authorities raided an eatery in Bhind District and arrested two individuals with 20 kg of marijuana and packaging material with the online platform’s branding. 

Assessments:

  1. Despite the seemingly isolated nature of the November 13 incident, the CAIT’s objections to online e-commerce platforms’ working are in line with its wider contention that such platforms adopt illegal practices and undercut the business of physical shops. The CAIT has in the past also alleged online e-commerce portals that have foreign funding also have little regard for Indian laws, indicating a nationalist tone of the argument. This is also consistent with the CAIT’s larger support to the Center-ruling, majoritarian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite the intermittent demonstrations against its trade policies.  
  2. Participation in the protests is expected to be in the mid-dozens to low hundreds, with turnouts potentially being higher in larger cities like Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai. There is also a potential for traders from local commercial markets and businesses to participate in the rallies. Even though Delhi has witnessed considerably large protests by the CAIT in the past, participation there may be tempered by the ongoing air pollution that has prompted the government to implement several restrictions on movement. Protests may also be held near the offices of e-commerce companies. Localized travel disruptions are likely near the protest sites. 

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in India on November 17 are advised to maintain vigilance due to the CAIT’s protest call while allotting for travel disruptions near the demonstrations. 

COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Medium
AFFECTED AREA India
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible