A group of nearly 80 farmers’ and farm labourers’ organizations from all over India has come together to create a new platform called Desh Bachao Morcha to voice their opposition to the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States.
During a meeting held at Kisan Bhawan, the organizations decided to start a nationwide campaign. They expressed concerns that the trade deal could negatively impact farmers, laborers, and small traders while undermining India’s economic independence.
The Morcha plans to stage a protest at Kisan Ghat in New Delhi on July 21. Before that, motorcycle rallies will take place at the district and subdivision levels on July 15, where they will present memorandums to local officials, addressed to the Prime Minister.
A coordination committee with six members has been established to spearhead this movement. The committee includes prominent figures such as Gurnam Singh Chaduni, Sarwan Singh Pandher, VM Singh, Surjit Singh Phool, Prakash Pohare, and Shiv Kumar Kakka. In a recent press conference, Chaduni and Pandher stated that they will persist in their campaign until the trade agreement is fully retracted.
In addition, the Morcha is pushing for a legal guarantee of minimum support prices (MSP) for all crops, waivers on farm loans, and effective water conservation policies. They are also advocating for a comprehensive national water policy to address the escalating water crisis in India.
