In a bold show of support amid a countrywide shutdown, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced strong backing for workers and farmers locked in battle against perceived government overreach. Posting on X, the Lok Sabha Opposition Leader painted a vivid picture of lakhs of protesters demanding accountability on labor reforms and international trade pacts.
Workers fear the consolidation of four labor laws will strip away safeguards on wages, working conditions, and job security. Farmers worry that US trade negotiations could flood markets with cheap imports, devastating local agriculture and dairy. The shadow of MGNREGA’s dilution looms large over rural economies already strained by uncertainty.
Gandhi accused the administration of sidelining these voices during policy formulation. ‘Will the government hear them now, or is the grip too strong?’ he asked pointedly, rallying behind their cause with unyielding commitment.
Spearheaded by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, the demonstrations spotlight the India-US interim trade deal as a direct assault on India’s agrarian backbone. This flies in the face of repeated promises by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to keep farming and dairy out of FTAs. Similar concerns plague agreements with New Zealand, the EU, and UK.
Protestors are calling for transparent trade policies that prioritize Indian interests, protecting farmers and laborers from global deal pitfalls. Gandhi’s intervention has galvanized the strike, turning it into a national conversation on economic justice and policy transparency.
With roads blocked and voices raised, the movement signals growing discontent. The government’s response could define the fault lines of India’s political landscape in the coming days.