New Delhi is buzzing as Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress MP, throws his full weight behind the nationwide strike called by trade unions. In a powerful statement on social media platform X, Gandhi declared his unwavering solidarity with millions of workers and farmers taking to the streets to demand their rights.
Gandhi highlighted the deep fears gripping the labor force over four new labor codes, which they believe will erode their hard-won protections. Farmers, meanwhile, are protesting against impending trade deals that threaten their livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and dairy sectors. The potential weakening or scrapping of MGNREGA, a vital lifeline for rural India, has only fueled the fire.
‘When decisions affecting their future were made, their voices were ignored,’ Gandhi charged, questioning if the government will now listen or if external ‘grips’ hold it too tightly. His post ends with a resolute pledge: ‘I stand firmly with the workers and farmers in their issues and struggles.’
The strike, backed by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and various farmer unions, targets the interim India-US trade agreement. Critics argue it endangers Indian farming, dairy production, and rural employment, contradicting Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s assurances that agriculture and dairy would be excluded from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
Unions have raised alarms over recent FTAs with New Zealand, the European Union, and the UK, demanding the government clarify its stance on agriculture and dairy in trade talks. They urge immediate steps to shield domestic farmers and rural workers from adverse impacts.
As protests spread across the country, Gandhi’s endorsement amplifies the movement’s call for justice, putting pressure on the government to address these pressing concerns before they escalate further.