Indian Farmers Stage Protest Against India-US Trade Agreement, Issue Stern Warning
Amritsar: In a significant demonstration of dissent, members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sangharsh) organized a vehement protest on Wednesday, vociferously opposing the recently negotiated trade deal between India and the United States. The gathering saw participants raising loud slogans against the government and symbolically burning effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump, highlighting their deep-seated frustrations.
Farmer Leaders Voice Grave Concerns Over Deal's Impact
Addressing the media after the protest, prominent farmer leader Jaswinder Singh articulated serious apprehensions regarding the trade agreement. He asserted that the India-US trade deal would prove to be extremely detrimental to India's agricultural sector, specifically impacting farmers, dairy producers, small-scale traders, and local shopkeepers. Singh accused the Modi administration of succumbing to American pressure and compromising the nation's economic interests in the process.
Another farmer leader, Palwinder Singh, criticized the government for a lack of transparency surrounding the agreement. He noted that details of the deal initially emerged through social media posts from American officials rather than official Indian channels. Palwinder Singh disputed government claims that soybeans were excluded from the deal, alleging that soybean oil and corn-based products have been imported on a large scale, leading to severe financial distress for domestic farmers.
Highlighting Disparities in Agricultural Support
The protesters drew attention to the stark contrast between American and Indian farming conditions. They pointed out that American farmers typically own hundreds of acres of land and receive substantial government subsidies amounting to crores of rupees. In contrast, the average Indian farmer owns only 1 to 1.5 acres and struggles to access even the Rs 12,000 assistance promised by the government. This disparity, they argued, makes it impossible for Indian farmers to compete fairly in an open market.
Threat of Escalated Nationwide Agitation
The farmer leaders issued a stern warning to the government, stating that if the trade deal is not promptly cancelled, they will launch a large and intense nationwide movement against the BJP-led administration in the coming days. They expressed disappointment that a government which once proclaimed India as a "Vishwa Guru" (world leader) has now, in their view, completely surrendered to American demands, jeopardizing the livelihoods of millions in the agricultural community.
