Farmers, under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), held a protest in Yamunanagar today against the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement. BKU district president Sanju Gundiana led the protest. The protesters raised slogans against the government and submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through Deputy Commissioner Preeti.
Gundiana said the proposed free trade deal between India and the US could pose a major threat to the country’s farmers, small businesses, and the rural economy. “Indian farmers are already burdened by debt and rising costs. Therefore, it will be impossible for small and marginal farmers to compete with foreign companies and large US agricultural producers,” he said.
He added that farmers in the US receive substantial government subsidies and financial assistance, while farmers in India continue to struggle with economic distress. “If this deal is implemented, foreign agricultural products will enter the Indian market at low prices, making it even more difficult for Indian farmers to secure fair prices for their crops,” Gundiana said.
He said decisions concerning agriculture, food security, and the livelihoods of millions of people should not be made without the consent of the public and relevant organisations.
The protesters demanded that the Central Government immediately cancel the proposed India-US free trade deal and protect the interests of farmers, labourers, youth, and ordinary citizens.
Farmer organisation leaders said that if the government does not address their demands, the movement will be intensified in the coming days.
BKU leaders Gurveer Singh, Vikrant Sasoli, Sanju Sarawan, Sandeep Topra, Rajiv, Krishan Sudhal, Pammi Chhachhrauli, Raj Kumar Bilaspur, Naib Singh, Navneet Singh, Satpal, Jagtar Singh, Joginder Sili, Kanshi Ram, and others were present.
