Farmers to hold nationwide protests over India-US trade deal on Feb 12
The Indian farming community is bracing for a major showdown with the government as several prominent farmers’ organizations have announced plans to stage nationwide protests on February 12 against the recently announced India-US trade deal. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), along with several other farmers’ outfits, have come together to express their strong opposition to the interim trade agreement, which they claim will have far-reaching and devastating consequences for Indian agriculture and farmers.
According to the SKM, the India-US trade deal is a “total surrender” of India’s agriculture and farmers to American multinational corporations (MNCs). The organization has accused the government of betraying the trust of farmers and compromising the country’s food security by signing the agreement. The SKM has also demanded the resignation of Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who is responsible for negotiating the trade deal, over the matter.
The India-US trade deal, which was announced recently, aims to increase trade between the two countries by reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. However, the deal has been widely criticized by farmers’ organizations, who argue that it will lead to the influx of cheap American agricultural products into the Indian market, thereby threatening the livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers. The farmers are also concerned that the deal will pave the way for the entry of American MNCs into the Indian agricultural sector, which will lead to the exploitation of Indian farmers and the destruction of the country’s agricultural economy.
The SKM has accused the government of ignoring the concerns of farmers and rushing into the trade agreement without proper consultation or consideration of the potential consequences. The organization has also alleged that the government has compromised the country’s food security by agreeing to import American agricultural products, which will lead to a decline in domestic production and an increase in dependence on foreign countries for food.
The nationwide protests on February 12 are expected to be a major show of strength by the farming community, with thousands of farmers from across the country participating in rallies, demonstrations, and other forms of protest. The SKM has called upon all farmers’ organizations, trade unions, and other civil society groups to join the protests and express their solidarity with the farming community.
The AIKS has also expressed its strong opposition to the India-US trade deal, accusing the government of “selling out” the country’s agriculture and farmers to American MNCs. The organization has demanded that the government withdraw from the trade agreement and engage in a thorough consultation with farmers’ organizations and other stakeholders before signing any new trade deals.
The protests on February 12 are likely to be a major challenge for the government, which is already facing criticism from various quarters over its handling of the agricultural sector. The government has been accused of failing to address the concerns of farmers, who are struggling to cope with rising costs, falling incomes, and declining productivity.
The India-US trade deal has also sparked concerns among other sections of society, including consumer groups and environmental organizations. These groups have argued that the deal will lead to the importation of genetically modified (GM) crops and other products that are harmful to human health and the environment.
In conclusion, the nationwide protests on February 12 are a clear indication of the strong opposition to the India-US trade deal among the farming community. The government needs to take the concerns of farmers seriously and engage in a thorough consultation with all stakeholders before signing any new trade deals. The country’s agricultural sector is a vital part of the economy, and any decisions that affect it must be taken with caution and careful consideration.
The SKM and other farmers’ organizations have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are met, and the government is forced to reconsider the India-US trade deal. As the protests on February 12 approach, the government would do well to listen to the concerns of farmers and take steps to address them, rather than risking a major confrontation with the farming community.
About the Author
