Intro: Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge strongly criticised the government, warning of farmers’ unrest over trade agreements
New Delhi
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, launched a scathing attack on the Union government during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address on Wednesday. He accused the administration of compromising India’s national interests through the recently announced India-US trade deal, warning it would force Indian farmers into unfair competition with their American counterparts, severely affecting their livelihoods.
Kharge asserted that the trade agreement, highlighted by US President Donald Trump and acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, could open Indian markets to American products while lowering tariffs on US goods. “You are setting up Indian farmers to compete with American farmers; this will impact them severely,” he warned, predicting a resurgence of farmer protests and stating, “The farmers’ revolution will happen again, and you will have to take these measures back.”
Questioning India’s global standing, he asked, “When our sovereignty is being attacked, when we are under the control of Trump, what is our position in our world?” Kharge described the government’s stance as weak and untenable, criticizing the President’s address for ignoring critical issues such as social justice, economic challenges, farmers’ distress, labour struggles, attacks on constitutional institutions, and shortcomings in foreign policy.
He also raised concerns over gender equality, saying women were treated as a vote bank, pointing out the Union government’s failure to implement promised reservations and the absence of women leaders in organisations like the RSS.
Kharge’s speech focused on tensions in Parliament over the India-US trade pact, which reportedly includes reduced US tariffs on Indian goods, commitments by India to open markets to American products, and increased US energy and agricultural purchases. His remarks highlighted broader concerns over economic sovereignty, rural distress, and social equity, signaling potential conflicts during the ongoing Budget session.
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