Massive Punjab Rally Condemns US Trade Deal and Global Imperialism
In a powerful display of dissent, thousands of farmers and trade union members gathered in Punjab on Monday, transforming the anniversary of India's revered independence heroes into a large-scale demonstration against contemporary foreign intervention, war politics, and international trade agreements. The event, organized by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and a coalition of central trade unions, commemorated the 95th martyrdom day of Shaheeds Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru. Speakers at the rally emphasized that the historic slogan "Inquilab Zindabad" (Long Live the Revolution) remains incomplete without the accompanying cry of "Samrajyavad Murdabad" (Down with Imperialism), framing current issues as a continuation of the anti-colonial struggle.
Opposition to US Trade Deal and Corporate Policies
Farm groups, led primarily by BKU Ekta Ugrahan and BKU Ekta Dakaunda, voiced strong opposition to the proposed trade deal with the United States. They argued that including agriculture and allied sectors in the agreement poses a severe threat to local livelihoods and food security. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of BKU Ekta Ugrahan, stated, "The government is once again pushing the country toward imperialist forces. The way the US administration dictates terms and the NDA government follows is unacceptable to the working class." The demonstrators presented a clear set of demands, including the immediate rejection of the US trade deal, the repeal of four controversial labour codes and pro-corporate legislations, and guaranteed minimum support prices (MSP) for all crops, calculated using the C2+50% profit formula to ensure fair compensation for farmers.
Geopolitical Criticisms and Economic Impacts
The protest took a significant geopolitical turn as leaders condemned the US-led conflict with Iran, labeling it as "immoral and illegal" and initiated without proper approval from the US Congress. The joint platform pointed to the resignation of Joe Kent, former director of the US National Counterterrorism Center, as evidence that Iran did not pose an imminent threat, thereby questioning the justification for military actions. They called on the international community to declare US and Israeli leadership as "war criminals" for violating international law and the sovereignty of Iran. Protesters linked these global military tensions directly to economic hardships in India, noting that the conflict has triggered energy security crises, sharp inflation, price hikes on essential commodities, and economic slowdowns that disproportionately affect the agrarian sector. Ugrahan told the crowd, "Not only Punjab, but the entire nation takes inspiration from martyrs like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, who died to pull the motherland from the clutches of imperialist forces. This day reminds us to up the ante against these modern versions of the same struggle."
