Rahul meets farm union leaders, starting movement against India-US trade deal talks.

On Friday, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, met with leaders of various farm unions from across the country at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the need for a nationwide movement to oppose the India-US interim trade deal and protect the livelihoods of farmers and farm laborers. Gandhi shared a video of the meeting on social media and took a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "Narendra 'surrender' Modi has betrayed India's farmers - and they understand this." He also stated that the trade deal is not just a simple agreement, but a direct attack on the livelihoods of those who provide us with food. During the meeting, the concerns of the farmers were evident. They are already struggling with inflation, rising costs, and uncertainty over Minimum Support Prices (MSPs). Now, with this trade deal, they are also facing competition from foreign crops that are heavily subsidized and mechanized, leaving them unprepared. Gandhi emphasized that this is not a fair fight, but rather a one-sided pressure on the farmers. He rejected the government's hollow promises and vowed to stand with the farmers in their fight for their rights, security, and dignity. The opposition party, Congress, stated that the farm union leaders expressed their opposition to the India-US trade deal during the meeting. They also conveyed their deep concern for the livelihoods of those who grow crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, fruits, and nuts. Gandhi and the farm union leaders discussed the urgent need for a large-scale national movement to oppose the trade deal and protect the interests of the farmers and farm laborers. Some of the farm union leaders who met Gandhi included Sukhpal S Khaira, Ashok Balhara, Baldev S Zira, R NandKumar, Amarjit S Mohri, Guramneet S Mangat, and Hameed Malik. Khaira, the All India Kisan Congress chief, stated that a delegation of leaders from various farm unions met Gandhi at his Parliament office to discuss the "anti-farmer" Indo-US treaty. He accused the government of completely surrendering to the United States through this trade deal. This meeting comes on the heels of Gandhi's statement where he declared that the BJP-led Centre can take whatever actions they want against him, but he will always stand with the farmers. He also accused Modi of being "anti-farmer" and "selling" the country through the India-US interim trade deal. In a video statement shared on social media, Gandhi stated, "Any trade deal that takes away the farmers' livelihood or weakens the country's food security is anti-farmer. We will not let the anti-farmer Modi government compromise on the interests of the food providers." He ended with the statement, "FIR filed, a case registered, or a privilege motion brought - I will fight for the farmers." In conclusion, the meeting between Gandhi and the farm union leaders discussed the urgent need to oppose the India-US trade deal and protect the livelihoods of farmers and farm laborers. It was a clear indication that the Congress party stands firmly with the farmers in their fight against the government's actions.