Farmers to hold nationwide protests over India-US trade deal on Feb 12
The Indian farming community is gearing up for a massive nationwide protest 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’ organizations, have joined forces to express their strong opposition to the interim deal, which they claim is a “total surrender” of India’s agriculture and farmers to American multinational corporations (MNCs).
The SKM, a coalition of farmers’ unions, has been at the forefront of the agitation against the trade deal, which was announced recently. The organization has been vocal about its concerns regarding the impact of the deal on Indian farmers, who are already struggling to make ends meet. The SKM claims that the deal will allow American MNCs to flood the Indian market with cheap imports, thereby threatening the livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers.
The AIKS, another prominent farmers’ organization, has also come out strongly against the trade deal. The organization has accused the government of betraying the trust of Indian farmers by signing a deal that favors American corporate interests over the welfare of Indian farmers. The AIKS has demanded that the government withdraw from the deal and engage in meaningful consultations with farmers’ organizations to address their concerns.
The nationwide protest on February 12 is expected to be a massive show of strength by the farming community, with thousands of farmers and agricultural workers participating in rallies and demonstrations across the country. The protest is being organized under the banner of the SKM and the AIKS, with the support of several other farmers’ organizations and trade unions.
The SKM has also demanded the resignation of Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who is responsible for negotiating the trade deal. The organization has accused Goyal of failing to protect the interests of Indian farmers and of surrendering to American pressure. The SKM has also criticized the government for not consulting with farmers’ organizations before signing the deal, which it claims is a violation of democratic principles.
The India-US trade deal has been a subject of controversy since its announcement, with many critics arguing that it favors American corporate interests over the welfare of Indian farmers. The deal is expected to increase American exports to India, particularly in the areas of agriculture and dairy products. However, Indian farmers are concerned that the deal will lead to a surge in cheap imports, which will threaten their livelihoods and undermine the country’s food security.
The protest on February 12 is expected to be a major turning point in the agitation against the trade deal. The SKM and the AIKS have called upon farmers and agricultural workers from all over the country to participate in the protest, which is expected to be one of the largest and most widespread protests by the farming community in recent years.
The government has so far refused to budge, with officials claiming that the trade deal is in the best interests of the country. However, the SKM and the AIKS have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are met. The protest on February 12 is expected to be a major test of strength for the government, which is already facing criticism for its handling of the farmers’ agitation.
As the protest approaches, the mood in the farming community is increasingly militant. Many farmers are angry and frustrated with the government’s refusal to listen to their concerns, and they are determined to make their voices heard. The SKM and the AIKS have called upon farmers to come out in large numbers and participate in the protest, which is expected to be a major show of strength by the farming community.
The nationwide protest on February 12 is a clear indication that the farming community will not go down without a fight. The SKM and the AIKS have made it clear that they will continue to agitate until their demands are met, and the government is forced to listen to their concerns. As the protest approaches, the government would do well to take the concerns of the farming community seriously and engage in meaningful consultations to address their grievances.
In conclusion, the nationwide protest on February 12 is a major development in the agitation against the India-US trade deal. The SKM and the AIKS have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are met, and the government is forced to listen to their concerns. The protest is expected to be a major show of strength by the farming community, and it will be a major test of strength for the government. As the protest approaches, the country waits with bated breath to see how the government will respond to the demands of the farming community.
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