Indian farmers plan country-wide protest against India-US trade deal
“We will stand like a rock with farmers,” Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with leaders of farmers’ unions from across India at the Parliament House complex to discuss concerns over the proposed India–US interim trade deal and its potential impact on agricultural livelihoods.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the discussions also focused on launching an India-wide movement against the agreement and the need to protect the livelihoods of farmers and agricultural laborers.
The farmers’ union leaders expressed their opposition, warning that the deal could threaten the livelihoods of farmers cultivating maize, soybeans, cotton, and horticultural crops.
Speaking to the farmers, Rahul Gandhi said that the agreement would open the door to agricultural imports, which is a serious concern for farmers, and stressed the need for a large-scale nationwide movement to oppose it.
Those present included Sukhpal S. Khaira, President of the All India Kisan Congress; Ashok Balhara of the Bharatiye Kisan Mazdoor Union, Haryana; Baldev Singh Zira of the BKU Krantikari; R Nandkumar of the Progressive Farmers Front,; Amarjit Singh Mohri of the BKU Shaheed Bhagat Singh; Guramneet Singh Mangat of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha; as well as Hamid Malik of the Zamidara Forum from Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, among others.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had stated that the government may file cases against him, but he would stand like a rock with the farmers. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anti-farmer and is selling out the country through the trade agreement with the United States.
