Pune Market Yard Trader Alleges Death Threat from Pakistan After Boycott of Turkish Apples
Pune Market Yard Trader Alleges Death Threat from Pakistan After Boycott of Turkish Apples
A protest by fruit traders in Pune’s bustling Market Yard took a tense turn on Thursday after a local trader claimed he received a death threat via a voice message from a Pakistan-based number. The threat allegedly came in response to the traders’ recent decision to boycott apples imported from Turkiye, following reports that Turkiye had supplied military equipment to Pakistan amid India’s Operation Sindoor.
The boycott movement began when traders at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), also known as Marketyard, united in protest against Turkiye’s vocal support for Pakistan. Trader Suyog Zende, who has been actively leading the boycott, said he was targeted after posting on social media about his decision to stop dealing in Turkish apples.
Zende recounted that around 9 a.m. on Thursday, he started receiving repeated calls from an international number on a messaging app, which he ignored. Shortly after, he received a voice message that he claims contained abusive language aimed at India and a direct threat to his life. “The voice message was filled with slurs against our country and warned me that neither India nor our traders could harm Pakistan or Turkiye. It clearly stated that I would be harmed if the boycott continued,” Zende told reporters. He forwarded the voice message and the number to the police.
In response to the threat, Zende sent back a voice message, reaffirming his stance. “For me and many others, the country comes first. We will promote apples from our local farmers in Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and other Indian states,” he added.
Following the incident, a delegation of Market Yard traders met Joint Pune Police Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma to seek action. Sharma confirmed that the complaint has been forwarded to the crime branch and that a team is investigating the matter. “The caller used a foreign number. The matter is under investigation,” he said.
As the news of the threat spread, traders at the Market Yard intensified their protest. In a symbolic move, they threw crates of Turkish apples onto the road, condemning Turkiye’s support for Pakistan.
Zende highlighted the scale of trade involved, saying, “We import a wide variety of produce from Turkiye — including apples, cherries, litchis, plums, and dry fruits. The value of apple imports alone stands around ₹1,200 crore annually.”
Nationwide Support for the Boycott
The Pune traders’ protest has sparked a wider movement, with traders across Uttar Pradesh also announcing a halt to imports from Turkiye. Speaking to news agencies, several vendors confirmed they would not place new orders for Turkish produce, although some previously ordered consignments were still en route.
One trader from UP remarked, “We will not trade with any country that supports terrorism or stands against India. Turkiye’s support for Pakistan is unacceptable.”
Political Support for the Traders’ Stand
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis publicly supported the boycott, commending the traders for putting the nation first. “I congratulate all traders who have taken this stand. At a time like this, ‘nation first’ should be our approach. Those who support the perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam must be taught a lesson,” Fadnavis stated.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of local traders amid rising geopolitical tensions and has also highlighted how international relations can impact local commerce. Police investigations are ongoing as the trade community stands firm in its protest.
