Rahul Gandhi Accuses PM Modi of Sacrificing Indian Farmers in Proposed US Trade Deal
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, accusing him of sacrificing India's farmers through the proposed India–United States trade agreement. Speaking at an interaction with farmers in Peravoor, Kannur, Gandhi termed the move a "criminal act" that would open the domestic agricultural market to American producers, potentially devastating local livelihoods.
Allegations of External Pressure on the Prime Minister
Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Modi is under significant pressure to agree to the trade deal due to two critical international issues. "I can tell you with confidence that no Indian PM would do this," Gandhi declared, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He claimed that allowing American farmers to sell products like soyabean, corn, and fruits in India would destroy the agricultural foundation painstakingly built through initiatives like the Green Revolution and White Revolution.
Gandhi further asserted that US President Donald Trump is exerting direct pressure on Modi. He detailed the two specific threats he believes are compelling the Prime Minister's actions:
- The Unreleased Epstein Files: Gandhi alleged that 3.5 million files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, held secret by the US government, contain information about the Prime Minister of India. "These files have information about the PM of India," he stated, suggesting their potential release is a leverage point.
- The Adani Group Case in the US: He pointed to an ongoing case involving the Adani Group in the United States as the second source of pressure. Gandhi claimed the threat is explicit: "If you do not do what we want, we will release to everybody the entire financial architecture of you and BJP."
Parliamentary Silencing and Broader Implications
Rahul Gandhi also accused ruling party members in the Lok Sabha of preventing him from speaking in Parliament, where he intended to raise these matters. He argued that this suppression highlights the sensitivity and validity of his claims.
Connecting the dots, Gandhi concluded that these pressures are driving Modi to agree to a trade deal that he described as "destroying the agricultural foundation of India using a JCB." He emotionally charged that "Indian farmers are being sacrificed so that the PM can protect himself and can protect the financial foundation of BJP." This statement underscores his view that the deal prioritizes political and financial security over national agricultural interests.
The allegations have sparked significant debate, with Gandhi positioning the trade agreement not just as an economic policy, but as a matter of national sovereignty and farmer welfare, framed by international coercion. The interaction in Kannur served as a platform to rally farmer support and critique the government's approach to trade and agriculture.
