Protests over the entry of global retail chains such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour saw tens of thousands of shop-owners downing their shutters across India Thursday, demanding reversal of the decision to allow foreign equity in their sector

The nationwide protest was called by the Confederation of All India Trade Associations to demand the withdrawal of the decision last week to permit up to 51 percent foreign equity in multi-brand retailing and 100 percent in single-brand format.