Farmers to hold nationwide protests over India-US trade deal on Feb 12
The Indian farming community is all set to stage a 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’ organisations, have announced plans to hold protests across the country to express their discontent and dissatisfaction with the interim trade agreement. According to the SKM, the deal is a “total surrender” of India’s agriculture and farmers to American multinational corporations (MNCs).
The India-US trade deal has been a topic of discussion for several months, with the Indian government attempting to negotiate a favourable agreement with the United States. However, the farming community in India has been vehemently opposed to the deal, citing concerns over the potential impact on Indian farmers and the country’s agricultural sector. The SKM and other farmers’ organisations have been demanding that the government scrap the deal and instead focus on protecting the interests of Indian farmers.
The SKM has claimed that the interim trade deal is a result of the Indian government’s “total surrender” to American MNCs, which will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s agriculture and farmers. The organisation has demanded that Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who has been leading the negotiations with the US, resign from his position over the matter. The SKM has also accused the government of betraying the trust of Indian farmers and compromising the country’s food security.
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has also expressed its strong opposition to the trade deal, stating that it will lead to the “destruction” of Indian agriculture. The organisation has claimed that the deal will allow American MNCs to dominate the Indian agricultural market, leading to the displacement of small and marginal farmers. The AIKS has also accused the government of ignoring the concerns of Indian farmers and instead prioritising the interests of foreign corporations.
The nationwide protests on February 12 are expected to be a major show of strength by the Indian farming community, with thousands of farmers and agricultural workers participating in rallies and demonstrations across the country. The protests will be held in major cities and towns, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, among others. The farmers’ organisations have also called for a nationwide bandh (strike) on February 12, with shops and businesses expected to remain closed in support of the protests.
The India-US trade deal has been a contentious issue in India, with many farmers and opposition parties expressing concerns over its potential impact on the country’s agriculture and economy. The deal is expected to increase trade between India and the US, but many have argued that it will also lead to the exploitation of Indian farmers and the destruction of the country’s agricultural sector.
The Indian government has attempted to allay the concerns of farmers, stating that the deal will benefit Indian agriculture and increase exports. However, the farming community remains skeptical, citing the experience of other countries that have signed similar trade agreements with the US. The farmers’ organisations have also accused the government of lacking transparency and not consulting with stakeholders before signing the deal.
The nationwide protests on February 12 are a clear indication of the growing unrest and dissatisfaction among Indian farmers over the India-US trade deal. The protests are expected to put pressure on the government to reconsider the deal and prioritize the interests of Indian farmers. The SKM and other farmers’ organisations have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are met, and the government is forced to take notice of their concerns.
In conclusion, the India-US trade deal has sparked widespread protests and opposition from the Indian farming community. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), along with several other farmers’ organisations, have announced plans to stage nationwide protests on February 12 against the deal. The protests are a clear indication of the growing dissatisfaction and unrest among Indian farmers, who feel that the deal will have a devastating impact on the country’s agriculture and economy. The government must take notice of the concerns of Indian farmers and reconsider the deal to prioritize their interests.
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