Farmers under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) staged a protest in Kaithal on Thursday against the proposed India-US trade agreement, burning an effigy representing the American delegation currently in India for trade discussions.
The protesters later submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Kaithal Naib Tehsildar, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposed India-US free trade deal.
Earlier in the day, a district-level meeting was held at Hanuman Vatika under the chairmanship of district president Gurnam Faral. Farmers and office-bearers of the union attended the gathering before marching to Sir Chhotu Ram Chowk under the leadership of BKU (Charuni) youth state president Vikram Kasana and state vice-president Mahavir Chahal Nard. Protesters raised slogans against the proposed agreement during the march.
Addressing the gathering, Kasana said farmers’ organisations, labour unions, youth and student groups, women’s organisations, social bodies and citizens from different sections of society were deeply concerned about the proposed trade pact. He said similar demonstrations were organised across Haryana and in several other parts of the country on Thursday to oppose the deal.
Kasana alleged that the proposed agreement could pose a serious threat to India’s agriculture sector, rural economy, small businesses, employment opportunities and the country’s self-reliance. He said that while most Indian farmers are small and marginal cultivators, agriculture in the United States is carried out on a large commercial scale and receives substantial government support through subsidies. Under such unequal conditions, he argued, a free trade agreement would adversely affect Indian farmers and consumers.
He further said that decisions affecting agriculture, food security and the livelihoods of millions should not be taken without broad public consultation and consensus among stakeholders.
“We demand that the Union government immediately withdraw the proposed trade deal and safeguard the interests of farmers and other stakeholders," Kasana said.
Referring to statements made by US President Donald Trump and the US Agriculture Secretary, Kasana claimed that American agricultural products could be allowed entry into Indian markets at zero customs duty. He warned that such a move would severely impact the livelihoods of Indian farmers. He alleged that the proposed agreement was another attempt to weaken Indian agriculture while benefiting large corporate interests.
Gurnam Faral and Mahavir Chahal Nard said the union had consistently raised its voice against what it described as anti-farmer policies of the Central government and the potential consequences of the India-US trade agreement. They termed the proposed pact a “death warrant" for Indian farmers, arguing that while farming in India is primarily a means of family sustenance, agriculture in the United States operates as a large-scale business enterprise.
District vice-president Kewal Singh Sidhu also raised the demand for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement for all crops.
