“Sign the India-US Trade Deal, Face a Nationwide Protest”: Farmers Send Strong Warning to Centre

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU-Rajewal) on Monday organised a motorcycle rally in Chandigarh to protest against the proposed India-US trade agreement , warning that a nationwide agitation would be launched if the pact is signed.

The protest drew farmers from various parts of Punjab and led to traffic restrictions on several major routes in the city between 10.30 am and 3 pm . Chandigarh Police advised commuters to use alternate routes to avoid congestion during the demonstration.

Addressing the gathering, BKU (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal alleged that the Centre's trade policies were increasingly favouring multinational corporations and global trade interests at the expense of Indian farmers and the dairy sector. He argued that American farmers receive substantial government support and operate on a much larger scale, making it difficult for India's predominantly small and marginal farmers to compete.

Farmer leaders expressed apprehension that the proposed agreement could lead to a large influx of imported agricultural products, including pulses, fruits, vegetables, and other food items , which they said might adversely affect farm incomes and the rural economy.

Rajewal announced that if the bilateral trade agreement with the United States is signed, protests would be held across the country on the same day. He also declared that toll plazas across Punjab would be made free for two hours on July 17 as a mark of protest against the proposed deal.

The BKU leader said that while some of the farmers' concerns were related to the Centre, others pertained to the state government. He also highlighted issues such as the declining groundwater table in Punjab and the growing challenges posed by climate change to agriculture.

The latest protest comes days after BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) and several other farmer organisations held a separate rally in Chandigarh, where they opposed the proposed trade agreement and raised concerns over the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices.