Rahul Gandhi demands PM’s intervention to save tariff-hit textile sector

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday (January 23, 2026) flagged what he called a “deepening crisis” in India’s textile sector due to high U.S. tariffs and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, saying the issue was threatening jobs and small businesses.

Sharing a video on X from his recent visit to a garment factory in Haryana, Mr. Gandhi said that “50% U.S. tariffs and uncertainty are badly hurting India’s textile exporters”. “Job losses, factory shutdowns and reduced orders are a reality of our ‘Dead Economy’,” he said.

Accusing the Prime Minister of inaction, Mr. Gandhi said, “Mr. Modi has offered no relief or even spoken about tariffs, even though more than 4.5 crore jobs and lakhs of businesses are at stake. Modi ji, you are accountable; please direct your attention to this matter!”

The Congress leader stressed that India must urgently secure a trade agreement with the U.S. that prioritises domestic interests. “It is imperative that India secures a U.S. trade deal that puts Indian businesses and Indian workers first,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister “must not allow his own weakness to impact our economy any further”.

The Congress leader said India’s textile industry, which he described as “the second largest employer in our economy”, was facing pressure on multiple fronts. “Our textiles are loved worldwide, and the craftsmanship of our tailors is truly unparalleled. Yet today, this industry is facing deep uncertainty and fear because of U.S. tariffs,” Mr. Gandhi said.

The Opposition leader said that exporters were struggling due to high tariffs in the U.S., falling prices in Europe and competition from countries such as Bangladesh and China.

Workers faced the direct impact, he said. “Units are closing, procurement is decreasing, and there is widespread turmoil across the entire sector,” he said.

Mr. Gandhi said he had witnessed “firsthand the skill of our tailors and the resilience and ambition of our people. They simply need a government that provides them with genuine support.”