TradeDeal – Congress Leaders Protest India-US Agreement in Delhi
TradeDeal – Leaders of the Indian National Congress and its youth wing staged a protest in the national capital on Thursday, raising objections to the recently announced trade agreement between India and the United States. Party representatives described the deal as harmful to key domestic sectors and accused the government of ignoring public concerns.
Youth Congress Workers Stopped by Police
According to the Indian Youth Congress, party members began marching from their office toward Raisina Road to register their opposition. However, Delhi Police reportedly set up barricades along the route and detained several workers before they could proceed further.
The youth wing stated that the gathering was intended to be peaceful. Visuals from the area showed a significant police presence as workers attempted to move past the barricades. Authorities have not issued a detailed statement on the detentions, but security arrangements were tightened in central Delhi during the protest.
Satyagraha Held Over Arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib
The Youth Congress also organized a Satyagraha to object to the arrest of its president, Uday Bhanu Chib, along with other party workers. Several senior leaders joined the demonstration, including Pawan Khera, Srinivas BV, and Delhi Congress chief Devendra Yadav.
Participants described the gathering as symbolic, invoking the principle of non-violent resistance. Party members said the protest was aimed at defending democratic rights and expressing disagreement with government policies through peaceful means.
Allegations of Curtailing Democratic Space
Speaking during the demonstration, Devendra Yadav criticized authorities for not granting permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar, a site traditionally associated with public demonstrations in the capital. He argued that preventing a peaceful assembly at the designated venue reflected what he called an undemocratic approach.
Yadav stated that Jantar Mantar has historically been accessible to political groups seeking to raise issues of public importance. In his remarks, he accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to stifle opposition voices and restrict political expression.
He further asserted that the arrest of Youth Congress members for raising concerns about the trade agreement sent an alarming message. According to him, the party would continue to highlight what it sees as administrative excesses and policy shortcomings.
Concerns Raised Over Impact on Farmers
A central theme of the protest was the potential effect of the India-US trade deal on Indian farmers. Yadav claimed the agreement could result in significant economic losses for the agricultural sector, though detailed provisions of the deal are still being examined by political parties and industry groups.
Congress leaders maintained that trade negotiations should prioritize domestic interests, especially those of small and marginal farmers. They argued that any arrangement affecting agriculture must be transparent and widely discussed.
The party also reiterated its commitment to peaceful resistance, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence. Yadav said Congress workers were prepared to continue their campaign within the framework of the law, even if it meant facing legal consequences.
The protest underscores the widening political debate over India’s external trade policies and their implications for local industries. As discussions around the agreement continue, reactions from opposition parties are expected to remain vocal, particularly on issues related to agriculture and economic sovereignty.