Hunger strike against corporate retail in Chennai

	Mr. T. Vellaiyan, President of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peravai

June 15th 2007

Chennai, Tamil Nadu—At around 9am on 15th of June 2007 around 800 people gathered near the Chepauk Cricket Stadium opposite of the Government guest house shouting slogans against the WTO, neo-liberal trade agreements and the rise of corporate retail. The government of Tamilnadu has given permission to corporate retailers like Reliance, ITC and others contract directly with farmers and do business on a massive-scale, with out putting any restrictions that may protect the livelihoods of farmers and those already involved in the retail trade.

The hunger strike was organized by the Tamil Nadu Vanigar, Samgankalin Peravar (Tamil Nadu Traders’ Association Federation), headed by T. Vellaiyan. The Tamil Nadu Traders’ Association is a mass based organization, which has been resisting the entry of foreign retailers and growth of corporate retail for many years.

Traders from different districts of the state assembled at the venue. All the traders wore white shirt and white dhoti and created an atmosphere that resembled the days of the independence movement struggle. T. Vellaiyan addressed the media people about the purpose of the hunger strike.

T. Vellaiyan cited the examples of the WTO and other trade agreements supported by the Center government that are facilitating the entry of corporations into the retail sector. He said that “this is why our traders, hawkers and other stake holders are on the streets, today because big corporate companies are pushing us to the streets. We are opposing the state government and the central government in this regard.”

Mr. Vellaiyan, went on, “We know how to do business of tamarind, we know where the goods are coming to the state and our markets, how to supply and to do business has been learnt through our experiences of forefathers. We are not from different countries are born here and going to die here. We are not asking government to give loans or subsidies; in turn we pay regular taxes. The companies, which are entering in to retail are getting more benefits from the governments.”