rediff.com: SJM opposes economic liberalisation

An influential Hindu nationalist group on Monday called for a reversal of India's policy of economic liberalisation which it said had increased the country's dependence on the developed world.

"We want a reversal of the policy of liberalisation on swadeshi (national self reliance) lines," Murlidhar Rao, organising secretary of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), said in Ahmedabad.

The SJM, a sister organisation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is a fierce advocate of economic self-reliance and has been critical of the liberal and reformist economic policies of India's coalition government.

The RSS is widely regarded as the ideological parent of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which heads the federal coalition government.

Rao said liberalisation had led to an increase in poverty and unemployment to India and the country's trade deficit had risen due to import liberalisation.

He said the government was under pressure from multilateral funding agencies and its policies were increasing the country's dependence on the developed world.

"Under pressure from the IMF and the World Bank, the power sector, highways, seaports and airports are being pushed into foreign control and national sovereignty is being compromised," Rao said.

The SJM plans to start a nationwide public awareness campaign against the government's economic policies from July 15.

"Unfortunately an atmosphere of hopelessness is being created and the nation's self-confidence is being eroded by allowing foreign ownership in new areas. This is absolutely intolerable," he said.

The SJM said the government should not allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment and should protect the domestic industry from multinationals.

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