THE recent remarks made by Shiv Sena (UBT ) leader and Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut on traders have drawn sharp criticism from various bodies of the community. In a joint press conference held here in the city on Tuesday, Virendra Kukreja, State President of Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party’s Traders’ Front, said the traders across the State strongly condemned the recent remarks and demand apology from the leader. “All the traders are expressing anger over the remarks and they have decided to teach Sanjay Raut and his party a lesson in the upcoming Assembly election.We will also continue our fight against Raut even after the elections,” he said addressing the press conference in presence of Arjundas Ahuja, President of Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC); Sachin Punyani, Secretary of NVCC; Girdhari Mantri, Office-bearers of Maharashtra BJP Traders’ Front; Rajesh Rokde, Vice Chairman of All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), Tarun Nirban of Nagpur Chamber of Commerce Ltd., and others. Kukreja said grocery merchants’ and foodgrain dealers’ bodies are also against the remarks. Arjundas Ahuja said that the remarks made by Sanjay Raut hurt the sentiments of traders.

 

 

“The traders are responsible citizens of the country who provides employment to crores of people through their businesses and strengthen the country’s economy. They also pay taxes. Sanjay Raut has called them liars and cheaters, which is very irrational,” he said. Sachin Punyani said that a businessman not only does business but also fulfills his social responsibilities, many examples of which can be given. “Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes this statement and calls upon him to apologize to the traders,” he said. Girdhari Mantri said that the entire community condemns such a statement and asks for apology. Expressing his views over the abrogation of Article 370, Raut had recently said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah tells lies like traders. “Amit Shah is lying. Traders lie for profits and adulterate goods. Shopkeepers lie for their profits; they cheat customers,” Raut had said. Raut’s remarks were made in response to a speech Shah made at an election rally in Western Maharashtra when he said that the abrogation of Article 370, which had given special status in the Indian Union to Jammu and Kashmir, was permanent and will not be brought back.  

 

 

THE Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry & Trade (CAMIT) has also echoed similar sentiments over the remarks. Dr Dipen Agrawal, President of CAMIT said,“Such derogatory remarks undermine the hard work, dedication, and integrity of the trading community that has been the backbone of the state’s economy for decades. The trading community has always played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth supply of essential goods, generating employment, and contributing significantly to State revenue. We urge Sanjay Raut to retract his remarks and acknowledge the vital role traders play in the economic and social fabric of our State.”