March to Delhi against India-US trade deal: Farmers depart from Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib; to stage sit-in at ‘Kisan Ghat’
NEW DELHI: Farmers from Punjab heading to Delhi for a fresh protest were stopped at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana, where authorities put up barricades and deployed cement blocks to prevent them from proceeding towards the national capital.The proposed four-hour “Kisan Mahapanchayat” was scheduled to be held at Kisan Ghat, the memorial of former Prime Minister Charan Singh, who was also a prominent farmers’ leader. Why are farmers protestingFarmers in Punjab have been protesting against the proposed India-United States trade deal, an interim agreement for which was announced after a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in February.They are demanding the cancellation of the trade deal.The farmers’ primary concern is the inclusion of the agriculture and dairy sectors in the proposed agreement. They fear that unrestricted imports of cheaper US products such as maize, soybeans, cotton and dairy items could lead to a fall in domestic crop prices, causing financial losses, particularly for farmers in Punjab and Haryana.According to farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, who was leading the protesters, they are also concerned about the possible entry of genetically modified (GM) crops and agricultural products into India. They reiterated their long-standing demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP).Referring to Union minister Piyush Goyal’s statements on the proposed agreement, Pandher told ANI, “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.Goyal has been leading negotiations on behalf of India.
