India FDI Decision Spurs Protests

NEW DELHI — The Indian government’s decision to allow foreign direct investment in retailing has set off a storm of protest that is threatening the stability of the ruling coalition.

The government said Friday that it would allow 51 percent foreign ownership of multibrand retailers, which had long been sought by global chains such as Wal-Mart, Tesco and Carrefour. A 72-hour deadline to withdraw the retail reform was immediately set Friday by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who succeeded in making the government withdraw the plan the last time it was proposed, in December 2011.