Farmers, led by Sarwan Singh Pandher under the ‘Desh Bachao Morcha’, marched from Punjab to Delhi to protest the India-US trade deal. They demand its cancellation, fearing harm to the agriculture sector from cheap US imports and GM crops.
Farmers under the banner of the ‘Desh Bachao Morcha’ on Tuesday began their march towards Delhi from Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib to protest against the proposed India-US trade deal, with farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher saying their main demand is the cancellation of the agreement.
The farmers, led by Pandher, head of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and coordinator of the ‘Desh Bachao Morcha’, departed at around 6 AM in buses, jeeps, mini-buses and private vehicles after paying obeisance at the gurdwara.
Peaceful Rally Planned Amidst Border Closure
Speaking before the march, Pandher said, “This is a very historic place for the entire world, where the younger Sahibzadas (sons of Guru Gobind Singh) were martyred. We stayed here, and after paying our respects at the Gurdwara, we are now heading towards the Shambhu border. Our main issue is that the India-US trade deal should be cancelled.”
The farmers intend to reach ‘Kisan Ghat’ in Delhi and hold a peaceful, four-hour-long rally. Pandher said they did not seek any confrontation and expressed regret over the closure of the Shambhu border, which he said had caused inconvenience to the general public.
“The information we are receiving is that the Shambhu border has been closed. We feel that instead of resolving the issues by talking to the farmers, the government of the country is adopting a policy of confrontation and suppression. The voices of the country’s youth, farmers, and labourers are not being heard. We will present this before the nation, and the people will respond,” he said.
Core Concerns and Demands
Pandher said that if the administration stopped the farmers at the Shambhu border, they would stage a peaceful sit-in on the road until 4 PM. “We intended to go to Kisan Ghat for four hours, which belongs to the farmers, but we are not being allowed there either. It is clear to us that whatever the government is doing involves a secret agreement that is not in the national interest,” he said.
The farmers’ primary concern stems from the inclusion of the agriculture and dairy sectors in the proposed trade deal. They fear that unrestricted imports of cheap maize, soybeans, cotton and dairy products from the US could cause domestic crop prices to fall, resulting in financial losses, particularly for farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Pandher also raised concerns over the possible entry of genetically modified (GM) crops and agricultural products into India and reiterated the farmers’ long-standing demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Doubts Over Government’s Assurances
Referring to Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s statements on the proposed agreement, Pandher said, “Piyush Goyal says there will be no compromise on the dairy and agriculture sectors, but it seems a deal has already been made.”
“The White House press release mentions cotton, soybean, corn, dry fruits, apples, pears, and other agricultural products under a ‘Wide Range Trade Agreement.’ ‘Wide range’ covers everything–it is a comprehensive trade agreement. So, I believe Piyush Goyal is not being truthful with the country. The India-US trade deal seems certain,” he alleged.
Future Course of Action and Appeal to MPs
Pandher said the farmers would not initiate any confrontation during the march and that farmer leaders would decide the future course of action after reaching their destination. “Now we are leaving. We will not initiate any confrontation from our side. After reaching there, the farmer leaders will hold a meeting and decide on the future course of action,” he said.
He also urged MPs from Punjab and across the country to raise the issue in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session. “All information is becoming public through various means. We want the MPs from Punjab and the rest of the country to raise the voice of the farmers and labourers in Parliament and challenge the government regarding the India-US treaty,” Pandher said.
The farmers’ agitation has intensified amid concerns over the proposed bilateral trade agreement, with protesters maintaining that the inclusion of agriculture and dairy sectors could adversely affect domestic farmers and undermine their livelihoods. (ANI)
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