Massive farmer protest hits Chandigarh over India-US Trade deal, Land Pooling Policy; View Pics
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 10, 2026: Farmers from across Punjab on Friday staged a massive protest in Chandigarh against the proposed India-US trade agreement, the Punjab government's new land pooling policy, and rising inflation, while also condemning the US military action against Iran.
The demonstration was organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Dakaunda). Farmers, including a large number of women, gathered at the Sector 34 Exhibition Ground before marching towards Matka Chowk, raising slogans against both the Narendra Modi-led Central Government and the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government.
Addressing the rally, BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) State President Joginder Singh Ugrahan and BKU (Ekta-Dakaunda) State President Manjit Singh Dhaner alleged that the proposed India-US trade agreement would adversely affect not only farmers but also workers, small traders and small-scale industries.
The farmer leaders claimed that increased imports of agricultural produce from the United States would hurt Indian farmers, while imported industrial goods could negatively impact small businesses and domestic manufacturing. They accused the Centre of compromising national interests under international pressure.
The protest leaders also criticised the Punjab Government's proposed land pooling policy, alleging that it would facilitate the transfer of agricultural land to corporate developers and the real estate sector. They vowed to oppose the policy and said farmers would not allow what they described as "anti-farmer" measures to be implemented.
During the rally, farmer leaders Jhanda Singh Jethuke and Gurdeep Singh Rampura condemned the US military action against Iran, alleging that the conflict was being used as a pretext to impose the burden of rising fuel and cooking gas prices on ordinary citizens. They demanded the rollback of recent increases in petrol, diesel and LPG prices and called for higher taxes on multinational corporations and large corporate houses instead.
Women leader Harinder Bindu urged women to actively participate in public movements, saying inflation has disproportionately affected women managing household expenses. BKU (Ekta-Dakaunda) leader Angrez Singh Bhadaur appealed to various sections of society to unite over issues affecting farmers and the common people.
The gathering also passed a resolution demanding the removal of the ban on the Punjabi film "Satluj" and urged people to remain vigilant against divisive communal politics.
Several leaders from farmers' organisations, workers' unions and ex-servicemen's groups also addressed the rally in support of the protesters' demands.