Bhadrak (Odisha) [India], May 15 (HBTV): In the aftermath of the conflict between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Army's subsequent response through Operation Sindoor, traders and businessmen in Odisha, particularly in the fruit trade, have resolved to boycott imports from Turkey. The decision follows Turkey’s public support for Pakistan during the recent tensions.
Vikas Mandal, a fruit seller in Bhadrak, stated that he would no longer deal in Turkish fruit imports. He said, ‘We will neither import fruits from Turkey nor sell them as they are helping our enemy Pakistan.’
A local advocate in Bhadrak echoed similar sentiments, accusing Turkey of favouring terrorists by aiding Pakistan and supplying it with war equipment. He called for a nationwide boycott of Turkish fruit products. ‘Turkey is helping Pakistan and supplying it with war equipment. They are acting in favour of terrorists. Pakistan is treated as a terrorist country... We Indians are opposed to it, and we should boycott the fruits produced by Turkey and supplied to India... We should altogether boycott not only Pakistan, but also Turkey,’ he said.
The boycott sentiment is not limited to Odisha. In Himachal Pradesh, farmer organisations have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose a complete ban on apple imports from Turkey and enforce strict import duties and quality standards on apples coming from other countries. Their call is based on Turkey’s alignment with Pakistan and the surge of cheap, subsidised foreign apples in Indian markets, which local growers claim is devastating domestic apple farming in Himalayan states such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the Himalayan Apple Growers Society, the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch, and other farming organisations stated that India's ‘Vocal for Local’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives are being undermined by these imports. ‘Under your leadership, “Vocal for Local” and Aatmanirbhar Bharat have instilled a new sense of self-reliance. However, the continued and increasing import of apples, particularly from Turkey, is pushing our mountain farmers into a deep economic crisis,’ the letter reads.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, fruit traders have also decided to end business ties with Turkey. Shadab Khan, a local trader, expressed strong opposition, stating that any country supporting Pakistan’s actions against India would be boycotted. He added that traders in Ghaziabad have terminated all trade with Turkey and will not import anything from the country in the future.
(ANI)