http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19658146
The strikes and protests called by the trade unions, the opposition party and the Communist Parties are in opposition to the government`s policy of allowing Global Retail firms to buy up to 51% of existing retail firms, essentially allowing them to take over the sector.
This is part of a wider neo liberal agenda to lay out the booming Indian economy for multi nationals who see India as an alternative to slumped markets in North America and Europe.
UNI the global union has also spelt out some of the precise dangers for workers in India if companies like Wal Mart get the access they want
http://www.uniglobalunion.org/Apps/uni.nsf/pages/homepageEn?Opendocument&exURL=http://www.uniglobalunion.org/Apps/UNINews.nsf/vwLkpByIdHome/B43C2A43E87012EFC1257A7D004B3C81?OpenDocument