The Atmanirbhar Paradox: “Boycott China” for Citizens, Shanghai Sourcing for Piramal
The Atmanirbhar Paradox: “Boycott China” for Citizens, Shanghai Sourcing for Piramal Posted on 18th November, 2025 (GMT 19:05 hrs) ABSTRACT This letter interrogates the glaring contradiction between the BJP-led Indian government’s public calls for boycotting Chinese goods and Piramal Pharma’s own officially listed Shanghai “Sourcing Office,” highlighting how nationalist rhetoric is imposed on ordinary citizens while crony conglomerates quietly expand global supply chains. Situating Ajay Piramal within a wider system of ruling-party proximity—ranging from electoral bonds and PM-CARES contributions to corporate-state entanglements—the letter questions how the BJP’s notion of “anti-nationalism” conveniently excludes large corporations even when their actions allegedly harm Indian retirees (as in the DHFL resolution) or depend heavily on China despite territorial tensions. It argues that nationalism has become a burdensome commodity forced upon the masses while exempting favoure...