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 on February 12, as several prominent farmers’ organizations have announced plans to stage nationwide protests 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 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 over 40 farmers’ unions, has been at the forefront of the agitation against the India-US trade deal, which was announced last year. The organization has been vocal in its criticism of the deal, arguing that it will have devastating consequences for Indian farmers and the country’s agricultural sector as a whole. According to the SKM, the deal will allow American MNCs to flood the Indian market with cheap, subsidized farm products, thereby threatening the livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers.
The SKM has also demanded the resignation of Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who has been instrumental in negotiating the trade deal with the US. The organization has accused Goyal of betraying the interests of Indian farmers and compromising the country’s food security. “The India-US trade deal is a total surrender of India’s agriculture and farmers to American MNCs,” said a statement issued by the SKM. “We demand that the government withdraw from the deal and protect the interests of Indian farmers.”
The AIKS, another prominent farmers’ organization, has also expressed its strong opposition to the trade deal. The organization has argued that the deal will lead to the displacement of Indian farmers and the destruction of the country’s agricultural sector. “The India-US trade deal is a recipe for disaster,” said an AIKS spokesperson. “It will allow American MNCs to dominate the Indian market and destroy the livelihoods of Indian farmers. We will not stand for this and will fight tooth and nail to protect the interests of Indian farmers.”
The nationwide protests on February 12 are expected to be one of the largest and most widespread demonstrations by farmers in recent years. The protests will be held in cities and towns across the country, with thousands of farmers and their supporters expected to participate. The SKM and other farmers’ organizations have called upon all sections of society to join the protests and express their solidarity with the farming community.
The India-US trade deal has been a contentious issue for several years, with many farmers’ organizations and opposition parties expressing strong reservations about its impact on Indian agriculture. The deal, which was announced last year, aims to increase trade between India and the US by reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. However, many farmers’ organizations have argued that the deal will benefit American MNCs at the expense of Indian farmers.
The protests on February 12 are likely to be a major test for the government, which has been facing growing opposition from farmers and other sections of society over its economic policies. The government has been trying to placate the farmers by offering them concessions and incentives, but the SKM and other farmers’ organizations have rejected these offers, arguing that they do not address the fundamental issues affecting the farming community.
As the country prepares for the nationwide protests on February 12, the government is likely to face growing pressure to revisit the India-US trade deal and protect the interests of Indian farmers. The SKM and other farmers’ organizations have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are met, and the government will have to take their concerns seriously if it wants to avoid a major crisis.
In conclusion, the nationwide protests on February 12 are a clear indication of the growing unrest among Indian farmers over the India-US trade deal. The SKM and other farmers’ organizations have made it clear that they will not tolerate any deal that compromises the interests of Indian farmers and the country’s agricultural sector. The government will have to take their concerns seriously and revisit the trade deal if it wants to avoid a major crisis. As the country waits with bated breath for the protests on February 12, one thing is clear: the Indian farming community will not be silenced, and their voices will be heard.
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