ICEA urges tech companies to take stringent action against vandalism, protests as anti-China sentiment rises

The Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has urged smartphone makers to take stringent action against unlawful protests, vandalism and mob gatherings near their factory complexes, workplaces, offices, retail-stores and other points of purchase in light of the growing anti-China sentiment in the country

“As you know, we all are part of the valuable Nation Building Exercise; relentlessly working on the policy of “Make in India” by the Government of India. Neither us nor our workforce need to be scared of such elements and acts...We have not to succumb or be cowed to such browbeating, intimidation and unlawful acts and commission of offences by such fringe elements,” ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said in a circular.

As a part of the remedial measures, the organisation has asked companies to take “appropriate and timely action” to ensure that the people involved in incidents such as unlawful protests, vandalism, mob gathering, shouting, raising slogans and targeted threatening are brought to books and “dealt sternly within the confines of law.”

ICEA has said that the companies should install CCTV cameras at all sensitive points and areas of their premises and that the affected members should immediately report the matter to the local police station and the senior officials. The body has also said that if a member has prior intimation of such an incident taking place, they should request the concerned Executive Magistrate or SP or concerned permission granting authority not to grant permission or request the demonstration be held at the distance of at least 100 meters from the premises. In addition to that, the matter should be reported to police including senior officials and deployment of Police force for safety should be sought.

Interestingly, while the organisation didn’t specifically mention that the precautionary measures were being recommended in light of the growing anti-China sentiment, it did say that it issued the guidelines after sporadic incidents pertaining to the targeted vandalism of signboards and billboards of brands of “member companies of Country of a certain origin” were brought into its notice.

It is worth noting, the guidelines come shortly after the All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) wrote a letter to Chinese retailers in the country including Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, Lenovo and others to tone down their branding in the country in light of potential violence by the people. Soon after, Xiaomi started covering its logo at its retail stores with ‘Made in India’ banners.