Punjab farmers to rally against trade deal, policies on Mar 23

Bathinda: Farm groups across Punjab have called for a massive mobilisation on March 23, with the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and central trade unions set to observe Bhagat Singh's martyrdom day as an "anti-imperialist day", opposing the proposed Indo-US trade deal and global developments impacting agriculture.The Punjab unit of SKM will hold a major rally in Barnala to mark the 95th martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, aiming to galvanise farmers against what it termed "pro-corporate" and "pro-imperialist" policies.Farmer organisations in the state have raised concerns over the inclusion of agriculture in the proposed India-US trade agreement, warning it could adversely impact Punjab's agrarian economy. They are also demanding legal guarantee of MSP for all crops at C2+50% and withdrawal of the four labour codes.BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said the protests were aimed at resisting "imperialist pressures" and policies perceived to be against farmers' interests. "Punjab has a legacy of resistance inspired by Bhagat Singh, and the rally is meant to carry forward that spirit," he said.The SKM also criticised the ongoing Iran conflict, alleging it would worsen energy prices and inflation, indirectly burdening farmers and the working class.Calling for large participation, SKM urged farmers across Punjab to join the Barnala rally and register their protest against policies they claim favour corporate interests over agrarian concerns.