‘Assassination Attempt Against You’: Rahul Gandhi Says At Jewellers’ Protest at Jantar Mantar, 

#NewDelhi:  Rahul Gandhi today described as an “assassination attempt” the excise duty on jewellery as he targeted the central government during a protest by gold merchants.

“This is not excise duty, this is an assassination attempt against you,” the Congress vice president said, addressing jewelers protesting at Jantar Mantar.

“Around 5-10 industrialists are standing behind the ‘babbar sher’ (lion) and small businessmen are being throttled,” he added, referring to the mascot of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ scheme.

Jewellers across the country have been protesting the reintroduction after four years of one per cent excise duty on gold and diamond jewellery.

The strike could affect gold imports by the world’s second biggest consumer and put pressure on global prices.

The government imposed an excise duty in 2012 but was forced to withdraw it after jewellers went on a strike.

Jewellery manufacturers are likely to meet PM Modi to demand a rollback.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley recently indicated that a rethink would be difficult.

“If luxury items are kept out, then it will be very difficult to keep the GST (Goods and Services Tax) rate between 17 percent and 18 percent,” Mr  #Arunjaitley said.