New Delhi: Farmers operating under the banner of the Desh Bachao Morcha began a coordinated march toward New Delhi from Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on Tuesday morning to voice strong opposition against a proposed trade agreement between India and the United States. Led by Sarwan Singh Pandher, head of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and coordinator for the coalition, hundreds of agricultural workers departed early in the morning using buses, mini-buses, and private vehicles after offering prayers at the historic shrine. The demonstration aims to reach Kisan Ghat in the national capital to conduct a peaceful four-hour rally, with union leaders demanding the total cancellation of the bilateral pact.
The central grievance among agriculturalists stems from deep-seated fears regarding the potential inclusion of the agriculture and dairy sectors in the bilateral trade deal. Protesters argue that permitting unrestricted or tariff-reduced imports of American agricultural commodities, such as maize, soybeans, cotton, apples, and dairy products, could severely depress domestic market prices and inflict significant financial harm on farming communities across Punjab and Haryana. Furthermore, union representatives expressed concern over the potential introduction of genetically modified crops into Indian markets, while reiterating their long-standing demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price for domestic produce.
Addressing media representatives prior to departure, Pandher criticized official assurances regarding the negotiations, specifically questioning statements made by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The farmer leader cited official communications from Washington that referenced a wide-ranging trade agreement covering various farm products, alleging that official public statements fail to disclose the true extent of the ongoing negotiations. Expressing regret over the closure of the Shambhu border by law enforcement authorities and the resulting inconvenience to the general public, Pandher emphasized that the demonstrators have no intention of initiating confrontation and would instead stage a peaceful roadside sit-in if blocked from proceeding further.
The march comes at a critical juncture as the Monsoon Session of Parliament gets underway in New Delhi. Farmer organizations have called upon elected representatives from Punjab and across the nation to raise the issue on the floor of the House and press the government for complete transparency regarding the bilateral treaty. As security personnel remain deployed at key interstate borders to manage traffic and maintain order, union leaders indicated that a collective meeting of farm representatives will determine the future trajectory of the agitation once they reach their destination.
