'Boycott Zudio' campaign for Palestinian cause held at Kozhikode; What is it all about?

NEW DELHI: A national campaign spearheaded by Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP) is gaining attention in the country. In the last two days alone, IPSP staged protests against Zudio, a Tata-owned fashion retail brand at various outlets across the country.

A protest was also held in Kozhikode here where IPSP and Student Islamic Organisation members chanted slogans in praise of Palestinians. Almost 50 people participated in the protest. The members confirmed that more such protests and campaigns will be carried out against any outlets supporting the genocide in Gaza.

The protestors demanded a mass boycott of the Tata-owned products from Zudio, alleging that the mammoth business empire had ties with the Israeli military and thus was complicit in the war in Gaza. IPSP claims that Tata harbours good relations with Israel's aerospace industry and has defence pacts with the nation.

It is also alleged that TATA sponsors Israel with armoured Land Rover cars to do patrolling in occupied regions of Palestine.

Protests were held in Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Patna, Vishakhapatnam, Chandigarh, Rohtak, and Vijayawada outlets of the fashion retail store. Protestors conducted flash mobs implying the death and suffering of Palestinians and even raised placards that screamed “Boycott TATA, the Baby killers.

Zudio, owned by Trent Ltd. of the Tata Group was launched in 2016. The store turned out to be an overnight sensation that offered clothes at modest rates compared to others. As of now, Zudio has 750 stores across the nation.

At the same time, IPSP is at the receiving end of huge criticism as many termed the protest as an attention-seeking gimmick and called the same people to do the same boycott campaign against Turkiye, as the country have admitted to supporting Pakistan during the recent Pahalgam attacks and the aftermath.