From Our Representative
Bhopal: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a major farmers’ rally here today, demanding the immediate scrapping of the recently signed Indo-US interim trade deal. Addressing the ‘Kisan Maha Chaupal’ organised by the Congress party, Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of compromising national interests, particularly those of farmers, under external pressure.
The rally, attended by thousands including Youth Congress workers and farmers from Madhya Pradesh and surrounding regions, marked the launch of a nationwide series of Kisan Sammelans by the Congress to protest the trade agreement. Gandhi’s speech focused sharply on what he described as the deal’s detrimental impact on India’s agriculture, textile sector, and data sovereignty.
In his most pointed challenge, Gandhi dared PM Modi to cancel the trade pact, citing a recent US Supreme Court ruling that struck down President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. “After the US Supreme Court gave its decision on the deal, I challenge PM Modi from this platform: scrap the deal with America,” Gandhi declared. He claimed the agreement had been signed under duress, stating, “This deal is against the interests of our farmers and was done by PM Modi under pressure.” He alleged that the Prime Minister rushed into the pact without consulting key Cabinet ministers like Rajnath Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, or Nitin Gadkari, following a dramatic walkout from Parliament.
Gandhi highlighted the specific threat to India’s textile industry, arguing that the deal would allow US cotton imports at zero tariff, severely undermining local cotton growers and garment manufacturers. “The Indian garment industry has been sold out,” he asserted, warning that cheap US imports would flood the market and destroy livelihoods in the sector. He further claimed the agreement forces India to purchase goods worth lakhs of crores from the US over the coming years, with no reciprocal benefits or import protections for Indian products.
A major portion of the speech centered on data sovereignty concerns. Gandhi accused PM Modi of “handing over the country’s data to America” as part of the deal, describing it as a grave compromise on national security and privacy. He linked this to broader allegations, suggesting the Prime Minister was “compromised” and acted hastily to protect personal and political interests, including references to controversies involving Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and industrialist Gautam Adani.
Gandhi also turned his attention to parliamentary proceedings, alleging unprecedented suppression of the opposition. “For the first time in Indian history, the Leader of the Opposition was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha,” he said, claiming he was repeatedly interrupted while attempting to raise critical issues. He tied this to the timing of the trade deal’s finalisation, suggesting the Prime Minister left Parliament abruptly after his own speech and directly contacted US President Trump to seal the agreement.
In an impassioned appeal to the younger generation, Gandhi praised Youth Congress workers as “lions” and urged them not to fear the current leadership. “I want to tell our Youth Congress workers that you are lions; you won’t be afraid of Modi,” he said. Addressing the nation’s youth broadly, he added, “I want to tell the youth of the country that when Narendra Modi gives a speech, look into his eyes; you will see fear in his eyes.” He encouraged them to stand strong, question authority fearlessly, and defend the country’s interests.
The speech drew sharp reactions, with BJP leaders dismissing Gandhi’s claims as irresponsible and anti-national. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj criticised him for disrespecting Parliament and acting as a “mouthpiece of anti-India forces.” However, Congress supporters hailed the address as a bold defence of farmers and national sovereignty.
The event underscored escalating political tensions over the Indo-US trade framework, with the Congress positioning itself as a staunch protector of agricultural and industrial stakeholders. Gandhi’s challenge to PM Modi is likely to intensify debates in Parliament and public discourse in the coming days, as opposition parties ramp up protests against the deal.
