The Indian government’s plan to ease restrictions on foreign investment in its retail sector has come against staunch resistance resulting in protesting and the adjournment of the government.
According to a report by the Times of India a Bhara Janata Party (BJP) councillor lead a protest at the opening of a Carrefour wholesale outlet in Jaipur on Monday in which a welcome gate was damaged and set on fire.
Protesters then blocked a road until dispersed by police.
The action comes following a report by the Indian Express that stated senior BJP leader Uma Bharti threatened to set fire to any Walmart stores opened in the country.
Reuters reported the Indian parliament has been adjourned for the past five days amid an uproar from legislators opposed to the changes.
Congress party head Sonia Gandhi stepped in to try and resolve the standoff that threatens several key bills from being passed, the Press Trust of India reported.
Resistance to the new legislation could force a vote on what is one of the largest reforms in the country in years.
Losing this vote could then lead to a wider vote of no confidence in the Congress-led ruling coalition, Reuters reported.
