Farmer group protests against proposed India-U.S. deal in Punjab

Farmers and farm labourers under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) staged demonstrations in different parts of Punjab against the proposed India-U.S. trade deal, alleging that the agreement could adversely impact not just farmers, but labourers, shopkeepers, and the youth.

Demonstrations were held at several places across 21 districts of Punjab. “We burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump, demanding the immediate scrapping of the proposed India-U.S. trade deal… The objective of the protest was to democratically register opposition and bring the truth about the dangerous consequences of this agreement to the people of the country,” Sarwan Singh Pandher, senior KMM leader, said.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party is repeating the same mistake it made earlier with the three farm laws, when no consultations were held with agricultural stakeholders, farmer organisations, etc. Once again, no discussions have been held with those involved in dairy farming, agriculture, small trade or any of the sectors that will be directly impacted by this agreement,” Mr. Pandher said.

“If America is given open access to India’s agricultural market, it will become virtually impossible for Indian farmers to compete. American farmers receive massive government subsidies every year, and farming there is based on large-scale mechanisation and vast landholdings. In contrast, in India and particularly in Punjab, around 86% of farmers hold small landholdings, with a large proportion owning five acres or less. Farmers are already not receiving profitable prices for their crops, debt burdens are rising, and suicides continue unabated. In these circumstances, this agreement would not be beneficial for Indian farmers,” Mr. Pandher said.

“The farmers’ and farm labourers struggle would continue until our demands were met,” the KMM leader said.