Farmers allege Trade Deals favour foreign produce, Call for Punjab-wide protests
Ferozepur, Februarty 4, 2026: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, in his video message, has strongly criticized the Central Government’s proposed international trade agreements, calling them equivalent to “stabbing Indian farmers in the back.” Speaking to the media, Pandher said that despite the repeal of the three controversial farm laws, the same policies are being reintroduced through new routes for the past four to five months.
Expressing concern over the proposed India–US trade agreement, Pandher alleged that the government is negotiating the deal secretly, which could prove highly detrimental to Indian farmers. He warned that such agreements may threaten farmers’ rights and pave the way for hidden changes in agricultural laws. Referring to trade deals with the European Union and New Zealand, he said apples and pears are being imported into India at zero or reduced tariffs, while under the US agreement, American agricultural products will reportedly enter Indian markets duty-free. He claimed this is part of a larger plan to push Indian farmers out of domestic markets.
Pandher further accused the government of withholding complete information even during the Parliament session. He alleged that taxes on certain domestic goods have been raised from 3.5 percent to 18 percent, while duties on imported products have been reduced to zero. He termed Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s claims of protecting agriculture and dairy sectors as misleading.
Announcing an escalation of protests, Pandher said massive demonstrations would be held outside the residences of 21 MLAs and six ministers across Punjab. He demanded a special session of the Punjab Assembly to pass a resolution against these trade agreements and called for intensified protests over MSP guarantee, loan waiver, cases against farmers, compensation issues, and the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal also alleged that India has opened its markets to US agricultural products at zero tariff, citing statements from US authorities. He urged farmers, labourers, and women to unite and launch a large-scale movement against the agreements.