Himachal Kisan Sabha Protests Proposed India US Trade Agreement Burning Modi Trump Effigies

Shimla : Members of the Himachal Kisan Sabha and allied agricultural unions staged widespread demonstrations across Himachal Pradesh to protest against the proposed India-United States Bilateral Trade Agreement. Protesters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, alleging that the proposed trade deal severely compromises the economic interests of domestic farmers and apple growers. 

The demonstrations took place at key district headquarters, including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, and Solan.Protesters raised anti-government slogans, expressing deep concern over potential tariff reductions on imported agricultural and horticultural commodities. Farmer leaders highlighted that opening Indian markets to heavily subsidized American agricultural products, such as apples, tree nuts, and dairy products, would devastate local rural economies across the Himalayan belt.  

Addressing the gathering in Shimla, Kisan Sabha leaders emphasized that apple growers in Himachal Pradesh are already grappling with rising input costs, unpredictable weather patterns, and inadequate infrastructure. They asserted that reduced import duties on foreign produce would crash domestic market prices, pushing small and marginal farmers into severe financial distress.  The union leaders demanded that the Union Government immediately halt trade negotiations involving sensitive agricultural sectors.

They further urged the administration to guarantee a legal Minimum Support Price (MSP) for horticultural crops and make all bilateral trade negotiation documents public. Protesters warned that if the central leadership fails to address their grievances, the Himachal Kisan Sabha will intensify its agitation and join nationwide blockades alongside major agrarian bodies.