SKM to Hold Nationwide Protest Against US, India Trade Pacts on Wednesday
New Delhi: Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Wednesday announced nationwide protests against the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and other trade agreements and wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu urging him to intervene to prevent the Center from signing the agreements.
In an open letter to the president, the farming community has appealed to “Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to sign the India-US Free Trade Agreement, repeal all signed free trade agreements and hold discussion in Parliament on their impact on the country’s economy, self-reliance and sovereignty.”
“Free trade agreements negotiated in secrecy and under institutional pressure are a deep betrayal of India’s national interests… It is a blueprint for economic colonization,” the SKM said in its letter, claiming that the agreements would devastate millions of small and marginal farmers and adversely affect the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.
The organization claimed that the proposed trade agreements would allow subsidized agricultural and industrial products from countries such as the US and European Union (EU) members to enter the Indian market, which would harm domestic producers.
In addition, it was requested that all documents related to FTA negotiations be made public and discussed in the Parliament, and it was stated that agreements that have long-term effects on the country’s economy should not be concluded without legal review.
SKM also claimed that the agreements could lead to increased imports of subsidized dairy products, processed foods, edible oils and other agricultural commodities, which could lead to a decline in domestic prices and affect farmers’ incomes.
Announcing its nationwide program on Tuesday, SKM said farmers will observe July 22 as “Farmers’ Commitment Day Against FTAs”, hold public meetings in villages and vow to continue protests across the country until the agreements are repealed in line with the 2020-21 agitations.
The umbrella body of farmers’ unions also condemned the police’s use of tear gas grenades and tear gas shells against students protesting in Delhi on Monday and announced that farmers will burn effigies of Modi on July 22 in protest.
He voiced support for students’ demands, including resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, scrapping of the National Examinations Agency (NTA) and payment of Rs 1 billion compensation to families of students who committed suicide due to exam-related issues.
The SKM said state coordination committees and its constituent organizations had planned demonstrations outside the offices of NDA MPs, burning effigies of Modi and US President Donald Trump and opening toll booths till 3 pm as part of the nationwide campaign.
