Proud Indians pledge to boycott Korean Products

On December 23, 2008 in the massive Rally held at Azad Maidan more than 2500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred) proud Indians including of seafarers assembled to protest against the unfair judgement against Capt. Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan of the ship “Hebei Spirit”. Despite being proven innocent in June, 2008 the two seafarers were sentenced on December 10, 2008 and are presently in Korean jail, under inhuman conditions, serving a sentence of 18 months and 8 months respectively. There is national and international outrage and protest against the unfair judgement. This is yet another example of criminalization of seafarers for discharging their professional duties.

The Indian shipping fraternity comprising of National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), The Maritime Union of India (MUI) alongwith the Transport & Dock Workers Union (TDWU), All Indian Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), Aviation Industry Employees Guild, Bombay Port Trust Employees Union and Shipowners Association i.e. Foreign Owners Representatives and Shipmanagers Association (FOSMA), Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA), the Indian National Shipowners Association (INSA), Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI), Nautical Institutes and others had appealed to boycott Korean products especially Samsung. The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) has also strongly demanded justice for Capt. Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan.

All those present in the rally and thousands of seafarers presently sailing joined in the appeal and have pledged not to use Korean products especially Samsung. While diplomatic efforts are on, this is the power of proud Indians expressing their solidarity for justice. This incident has already affected the now cordial relations between India and South Korea which will only worsen if justice is not done to Capt. Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan in South Korea.