Farmers from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal head for Delhi in protest against Indo-US trade deal
New Delhi, July 21: Thousands of farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh today hit the streets to protest against the India-US trade agreeement, saying it would allow cheaper agricultural imports into India, hurting domestic farm incomes and the country’s agricultural economy.
They also contend that the agreement would adversely affect agricultural labourers, livestock rearers, small traders and micro industries.
The interim India-US trade deal proposes reduced tariffs on products such as soybeans, corn (maize), cotton, ethanol, apples, almonds, and other agricultural commodities, while also seeking wider access for US dairy products, poultry, fruits, fisheries products, coconuts, and other commodities in the Indian market.
The protesting groups have urged the Modi government to abandon the proposed trade deal, saying it must protect the interests of farmers and the wider public.
The farmers say that an adverse impact on the farming sector could have far-reaching consequences for the rural economy and employment as India’s dairy sector supports the livelihoods of nearly 80 million rural families.
Similarly, the seed industry, food processing sector, small businesses, and agriculture-based industries may also face significant negative effects.
To press their demands, several groups of farmers from Punjab began their journey towards Delhi in buses this morning but they were stopped at the Singhu border of Haryana on the outskirts of the national capital.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesperson Tejveer Singh alleged that the Haryana government had sealed the entry for everyone and was not allowing any vehicles coming from the Punjab side.
“The interstate border has been closed without any prior information, causing inconvenience to commuters and stopping farmers from raising their genuine demands. The barricades have been installed inside Punjab territory, and the Punjab government should clarify its stand,” he added.
Farmers from Haryana were also heading towards Delhi from Ambala, Kurukshetra, and other places.
Farmers from several states including Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh had left for Delhi yesterday to participate in the ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ under the banner of the ‘Desh Bachao Morcha’ today to demand the cancellation of the proposed Indo–US Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The day-long ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ is proposed to be held at Delhi’s Kisan Ghat.
A group of farmers traveling to Delhi in buses under the banner of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) was stopped by the Kurukshetra Police at Shahabad in Haryana.
The farmers said they were determined to reach Delhi, alleging that the Haryana government had erected barricades to prevent them from proceeding.
They asserted that they would not turn back and would continue to stage a sit-in on the National Highway.
Heavy police forces have been deployed in the area to stop the farmers.
According to the farm leader, heavy police deployment was seen at the Punjab-Haryana border point, with multiple barricades and cement blocks placed on the bridge over the Ghaggar river to prevent the movement of farmer convoys.
The convoy from Punjab started from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib after more than 1,000 farmers spent the night at the gurdwara’s sarai. The procession moved through Madhopur near Sirhind on the GT Road before heading towards Shambhu.
Speaking to reporters, Pandher said farmers intended to travel peacefully but were being stopped at the border.
Pandher said farmers wanted to proceed peacefully to Delhi, but the Haryana government was stopping them at the Shambhu border.
He alleged that this exposed the “true face” of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who frequently visits Punjab and makes tall promises to its people.
Pandher said farmers want the proposed India-US trade agreement to be completely scrapped.
He added that the future course of action will be decided by consulting with other farmer leaders upon reaching the Shambhu border point.
The protest comes a day after Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was detained by Haryana Police in Kurukshetra while heading to Delhi for the Mahapanchayat.
The union’s spokesperson, Prince Waraich, alleged that police had detained several of its workers to prevent them from participating in the protest.
The barricading mirrors the measures taken in February 2024 when farmers gave the call for ‘Delhi Chalo-2’ demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops. During that agitation, farmers staged a sit-in for over a year at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. (BVI)
