Farmers and Opposition Raise Alarm Over India-US Trade Deal; Protesters Label Pact a “Death Warrant”

The protest saw significant participation from farmers across several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, signaling a widespread movement against the current trajectory of the India-US trade talks.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | March 20, 2026

NEW DELHI — Thousands of farmers from across India converged at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday (March 19) for a massive “Kisan Panchayat,” demanding that the agriculture, dairy, and poultry sectors be excluded from a proposed trade agreement with the United States. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), which organized the rally, warned that allowing duty-free imports from the U.S. would “spell doom” for domestic producers and acts as a “death warrant” for Indian cultivators.

Demands for Legal MSP Guarantees

The central focus of the protest was the demand for a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP), specifically following the benchmarks set by the Swaminathan Commission. Farmer leaders alleged that the government has failed to fulfill past promises regarding MSP, leading to staggering financial consequences.

Citing a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the group claimed that Indian farmers have suffered losses exceeding Rs 100 lakh crore due to the denial of declared MSPs. Protesters also pointed to a stark disparity in government relief, noting that while large corporate loans have been waived, the total outstanding debt for farmers—estimated at Rs 18.4 lakh crore—remains a heavy burden.

Editorial Section:

[ Rural Resistance: Protests by Farmers in India ]

Allegations of “National Sell-Out”

The trade negotiations have also triggered a fierce political backlash. Last month, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a frontal assault on the administration, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a “national sell-out”. Gandhi alleged that the U.S. trade deal was signed under external duress and would result in the surrender of national data and the systematic ruin of both the textile and farming industries. He further characterized the Prime Minister as “compromised” by yielding to these external pressures.

Calls for Open Debate

In a move to directly challenge the government’s stance, farmer leaders expressed their eagerness to engage in an open debate with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. They urged the government to fix a date and venue for this discussion to address their concerns.

While the gathering was described as a reminder of long-standing government assurances rather than a presentation of new demands, the intensity of the protest was clear. Following the assembly, a delegation from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) visited the Prime Minister’s Office to submit resolutions adopted by villages nationwide regarding the ongoing agrarian crisis.

The protest saw significant participation from farmers across several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, signaling a widespread movement against the current trajectory of the India-US trade talks.