The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) came down heavily on India head of the Chinese Smartphone maker Xiaomi, Manu Kumar Jain for saying that the “Boycott Chinese” sentiment exists only on social media.

The CAIT termed the statement most “insensitive” and “disrespectful” that has hurt sentiments of millions of Indians. “At a time when the entire country is deeply saddened and upset with the Chinese brutality against Indian soldiers, Jain is trying to please his Chinese masters by downplaying the mood of the nation,” the CAIT said in a statement.

The traders’ body has strongly condemned the statement of XIAOMI chief saying that it is much against the current spirit of the Country and as an Indian it was better on his part to keep a silence rather than poking his nose.

 On the other hand, the CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal thanked Bollywood Actress Kangana Ranaut and Raveena Tondon for her unequivocal support and appealing to the people of India to use Indian products in place of Chinese goods. “We are awaiting other celebrities to follow this line,” he said.

 CAIT national president B C Bhartia said that such statements by him are highly irresponsible and most regrettable. “At the time when people of India have started to align with the boycott China sentiment on the ground and various celebrities too have joined the movement, Jain’s statement shows that he is completely oblivious to ground reality and sitting in the air conditioned comfort of his home and office passing such remarks only for business gains, putting

aside and completely dishonoring the sacrifice and martyrdom of brave Indian soldiers,” he said.

“The CAIT had earlier accepted the challenge of Chinese mouthpiece ‘The Global Times’ and now will ensure that Jain feels the heat of the movement when he will face a strong backlash from the people of India who are infuriated with his remarks,” he said.

The traders’ body had already called for a boycott of Chinese goods, listing 450 imported items, condemning China's military aggression along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh.