New Delhi: Yoga guru Ramdev has called on Indians to boycott major American brands, including Pepsi, Coca-Cola, KFC, McDonald’s, and Subway, as a response to Washington’s decision to sharply increase tariffs on Indian goods.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ramdev described the U.S. move to double tariffs to 50% as an act of “political bullying and economic hooliganism.” He argued that the most effective way to respond was through people’s power by rejecting American consumer products in India.

No Indian should stand in line for Pepsi, Coca-Cola, KFC, or McDonald’s. If 140 crore people stop buying their products, America will fall into chaos,” Ramdev said, adding that such a boycott could force inflation in the U.S. to spiral and pressure President Trump to withdraw the tariffs.

The tariff escalation by Washington comes amid growing friction over India’s purchase of discounted Russian crude oil. The U.S. administration has defended the move as a trade safeguard, but in India, the decision has sparked anger, with Ramdev’s call for a boycott resonating across sections of society.

Ramdev, a vocal proponent of “swadeshi” (indigenous) products, reiterated that strengthening local industries and rejecting foreign dominance was the path forward. “This is not just about tariffs—it’s about India’s dignity and self-reliance,” he declared.