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 accused the government of betraying the trust of Indian farmers by signing a deal that favors American agricultural interests over those of Indian farmers. The SKM has also demanded the resignation of Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who has been instrumental in negotiating the trade deal.
The India-US trade deal has been a topic of controversy since its announcement, with many farmers’ organizations and opposition parties expressing their opposition to the agreement. The deal is expected to increase American agricultural exports to India, which could potentially harm the livelihoods of Indian farmers. The SKM and other farmers’ organizations have argued that the deal will lead to a flood of cheap American agricultural imports, which will make it difficult for Indian farmers to compete.
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 expected to participate in rallies and demonstrations across the country. The SKM has called upon all farmers’ organizations, trade unions, and opposition parties to join the protests and express their solidarity with the Indian farming community.
The AIKS, which is one of the largest farmers’ organizations in the country, has also expressed its strong opposition to the trade deal. The organization has accused the government of trying to “destroy” the Indian agricultural sector by signing a deal that favors American MNCs. The AIKS has also demanded that the government withdraw the deal and engage in fresh negotiations that take into account the interests of Indian farmers.
The protests on February 12 are expected to be peaceful, with farmers and agricultural workers gathering in cities and towns across the country to express their opposition to the trade deal. The SKM and other farmers’ organizations have assured that the protests will be non-violent and will not disrupt normal life.
The India-US trade deal has been a major topic of debate in recent weeks, with many experts and analysts expressing their concerns about the impact of the agreement on Indian farmers. The deal is expected to increase American agricultural exports to India, which could potentially harm the livelihoods of Indian farmers. The Indian government has argued that the deal will increase trade between the two countries and benefit Indian farmers, but many farmers’ organizations and opposition parties have expressed their skepticism about the agreement.
The SKM and other farmers’ organizations have argued that the deal will lead to a loss of sovereignty for India, as the country will be forced to open up its agricultural sector to American MNCs. The organizations have also accused the government of trying to “sell out” Indian farmers to American corporations.
The protests on February 12 are expected to be a major test for the Indian government, which has been facing criticism from farmers’ organizations and opposition parties over the trade deal. The government has assured that the deal will benefit Indian farmers, but many farmers’ organizations have expressed their skepticism about the agreement.
In conclusion, 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 expected to participate in rallies and demonstrations across the country. The SKM and other farmers’ organizations have accused the government of betraying the trust of Indian farmers by signing a deal that favors American MNCs, and have demanded the resignation of Union Minister Piyush Goyal. The protests are expected to be peaceful, but they are likely to put pressure on the government to reconsider the trade deal and engage in fresh negotiations that take into account the interests of Indian farmers.