On boycotting Indian products

Prominent Bangla blogger Himu has started a campaign to boycott Indian products on 1 March to protest BSF atrocities.  I have no idea how the campaign is faring in the ‘real world’, but in my (limited) observation of the cyberspace — blogs and facebook — the idea definitely resonates with most Bangladeshis. 

I personally wish the campaign success.  If nothing else, it will be a worthwhile symbolic act.  And symbols are important.

The thing is, I am not sure boycotting Indian products will have much more benefit beyond symbolism.  In fact, if this is actually successful, the result will probably be more harm than good.  That doesn’t, however, mean there is no place for civic activism.  There is.  And people like Himu can play a big role in leading that activism beyond symbols.