‘Stop going to KFC, McDonald's… boycott Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nike’: Baba Ramdev’s stern message after imposition of US tariff

New Delhi: With US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff on Indian exports taking effect on Wednesday, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev urged citizens to boycott American products.

Ramdev in an exclusive interview with India Today said India was the “biggest market in the world” and urged that “no patriotic citizen of the country should be seen at an Apple showroom until Donald Trump comes to his senses.”

No to US brands

The yoga guru advised people to avoid American fast-food chains and products. “People should stop going to KFC, McDonald's and Subway. Companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nike should be completely boycotted,” he said.

“If anyone is using American products at this time, it is a betrayal of the country. Millions of people sacrificed their lives to win freedom for this country. This is a fight for economic freedom. This time, everyone should take revenge for this insult together,” Ramdev added.

A big mistake by Trump

Ramdev said Trump had “made a mistake by provoking India,” which has such a vast consumer base.

“If India forms a new alliance with China, Russia, Middle Eastern and European countries, then the value of the dollar will be slashed,” he warned.

He criticised the dominance of the dollar in global trade. “Dollar is not counted on the basis of the strength of its currency. If the trade in the whole world were done in dollars, it would be bullying. Call it political, democratic or dictatorship, but this is open bullying and hooliganism. Indians will have to boycott this country. We will have to treat the enemy like an enemy.” Ramdev said.

The 'Swadeshi' concept

Explaining the concept of Swadeshi, Ramdev said it carried three meanings: “Made in India, made for the world with the money of Indians, and the indigenous economy, agriculture, education, medicine, pride in one’s own religion and the resolve to sacrifice everything for the country.”

He further added that India must aim to set new benchmarks in self-reliance. “People from all over the world should come to India for treatment. They should learn education, medicine and organic agriculture from us. India should become a manufacturing hub like China,” he said.