“It has been decided to organize a Swadeshi Fair in every Lok Sabha constituency. Our Prime Minister has given a call to use products made in our own country. We are continuing Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Swadeshi” –Basavaraj Bommai, Ex-CM
Chitradurga
Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai emphasized the urgent need for a modern Swadeshi movement to safeguard India’s economic freedom, national identity, and sovereignty, drawing parallels with its pivotal role during the freedom struggle. Speaking at the inauguration of the Swadeshi Fair organized by the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch Karnataka in Chitradurga, Bommai remarked that the success of such fairs stems from the inherent Swadeshi sentiment in every Indian. He highlighted the nation’s journey from dependency on foreign food to self-reliance, crediting farmers for India’s current status as a leading food producer, and underscoring that a self-reliant nation earns self-respect.
Bommai noted that centuries of India’s trading spirit—traveling across towns and regions for commerce—can once again reinforce Swadeshi pride. He warned that liberalization, privatization, and globalization have led the country to forget its moral conscience, stressing that sustainable progress comes from human-centered, conscience-driven actions rather than purely profit-focused motives.
The MP stressed India’s potential in technology and Artificial Intelligence, especially in agriculture, and urged educated youth to focus on producing and marketing Indian goods globally. Recalling history, Bommai highlighted the role of farmers and laborers in uprisings like the Bardoli Satyagraha and Champaran revolt, as well as the establishment of Tata’s iron production in 1908, which marked India’s self-reliance and contributed to the British exit.
He concluded that modern India must revive the Swadeshi movement to retain economic independence and national identity, invoking Gandhi’s legacy of promoting Indian goods. The event was attended by Sri Shivamurthy Shivacharya Mahaswamiji, MP Govind Karjol, MLC K.S. Naveen, and Prof. B.M. Kumaraswamy.
Box: MP Basavaraj Bommai criticized Congress for making political remarks on the Delhi bomb blast, stating that politicizing such incidents during ongoing investigations does not bring any glory. He questioned how Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan could predict terrorist attacks, emphasizing that fear and unrest should not be exploited for political gain.