Modi Govt ‘Surrendering’ to US on FTAs, Will Open Agri, Dairy Sector, Fears SKM

New Delhi: The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said it had “serious apprehensions” that the Narendra Modi government was “surrendering to the diktats” of the US to sign the free trade agreement (FTA) to open the Indian economy, especially agriculture and the dairy sector. The FTA is slated to come into effect from August 1, 2025.

In an online general body meeting held on July 20, SKM said such a step would not only hurt the interests of the country but also impact the people adversely.

 In a press statement issued after the meeting, SKM announced a series of mass protest actions across the country against “the BJP-led NDA Govt.’s moves to accept USA pressures and increase imports of food and dairy items, including GM foods and penetration of MNCs in food markets. … Peasants will raise the slogan ‘Corporations Quit India’ on 13th August 2025 by organizing tractor/ motor vehicle parades and protest demonstrations and burn effigies of the U S President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

Read the full statement below:

Press note released in the online press conference on 21st July 2025 at New Delhi

*SKM apprehends Modi Govt. is surrendering to the US Imperialism on FTAs, to open Indian agriculture and dairy sector.” 

*Observe 13th August 2025 as “Corporates Quit India Day”.

*Tractor/ Motor Vehicle Parade, Trump and Modi Effigies to be burnt. 

*Strong Anger expressed over imposition of High Electricity Tariffs, Smart Metres and Ban on Tractors after 10 years.

*National Campaign 15 August onwards culminating in massive worker-farmer protest on 26th November 2025. 

The SKM General Body meeting held on 20th July 2025 was attended by 106 delegates of 37 farmer organisations from 12 States. The Presidium consisted of Ashok Dhawale, Darshan Pal, Yudhvir Singh, Ashish Mital, Badagalapura Nagendra, Sunilam, Revula Venkaiah, Purushottam Sharma and Satyawan. Hannan Mollah welcomed the delegates, Rajan Kshirasagar placed the agenda.  Ashok Dhawale placed the concluding remarks.

SKM will observe 13th August 2025 as “Corporations Quit India” Day throughout the country. SKM seriously apprehends Modi Govt. is surrendering to the dictats of the US Imperialism to sign the FTA to open Indian economy especially agriculture, dairy and Food markets sectors that will hurt the interests of the entire people and the country. The FTA is supposed to come into effect by 1st August 2025. 9th August is the 83rd anniversary of the Quit India Day movement against British colonialism.  To protest BJP led NDA Govt.’s moves to accept USA pressures and increase imports of food and dairy items, including GM foods and penetration of MNCs in food markets SKM will issue a mass warning through this mass protests. Peasants will raise the slogan ‘Corporations Quit India’ on 13th August 2025 by organizing tractor/ motor vehicle parades and protest demonstrations and burn effigies of the U S President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

SKM units in Punjab shall hold tractor rallies in all districts on July 30 and a massive Mahapanchayat on August 24 against AAP govt’s new Land Pooling Policy.

SKM GB extended full solidarity with the farmers of Singrauli tribal farmers protesting against forced acquisition of their land for coal mines of Adani group.

26 November 2025 marks the 5th anniversary of the historic farmers’ struggle of 2020-21. SKM will coordinate with the trade union movement and agriculture workers movement to hold massive worker-farmer protest action at New Delhi as well as in the state capitals. A National Campaign against corporate- communal forces from 15 August to 26 November will be planned for National Unity and People’s Unity based on the two pillars of worker- farmer unity and Hindu-Muslim unity leading to secular unity of different religions and faiths and class unity of the entire working people.

A widespread campaign and local protests shall be conducted with publicity material and literature distribution to prepare the peasantry and other sections for the ‘struggle till victory’ on various demands related to 1. No to any bilateral Trade Agreement and cheap imports that hurts agriculture sector/ food grain production and dairy sector. 2. Repeal the pro-corporate NPFAM that undermines federal rights and promotes corporate takeover of Govt. agricultural markets. 3. MSP@ C2+50% with guaranteed procurement for all crops. 4. Comprehensive loan waiver for all sections of peasantry and agricultural workers to prevent peasant suicides. 5. No to indiscriminate land acquisition, land pooling schemes, Industrial Model Townships and proper implementation of LARR Act 2013. 6. No privatisation of electricity, no imposition of smart meters, provide free electricity up to 300 units to all rural households.

In this National Campaign, its preparations and literature SKM will also coordinate with the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, platform of agricultural workers unions and other Trade Unions.

The GB congratulated the leadership of the united trade union movement and the working class for the leadership role they have played in making the strike action on 9 July 2025 effective.  This was the 22nd General Strike since the invention of neoliberal policies and its success has filled confidence to all the democratic sections in the society that the entire working people are ready to fight back the anti-people policies of the ruling classes.

SKM demands full compensation @ market rates for landowners on all the lands acquired at low circle rate for public sector as well as private sector projects. It has demanded mandatory revision of circle rate must be ensured every alternative year; No acquisition should be done without rehabilitation and resettlement; No demolition of slums and settlements without prior rehabilitation; End Bulldozer Raj; No forceful construction of overhead High Voltage transmission lines on farmland; Implement land use policy and preserve agricultural land for cultivation considering the food security of the country.

Meeting demanded to lift the ban on 10 years-old tractors, restore fertiliser subsidy and halt the trade of spurious fertilisers and pesticides, end hoarding, black marketing, widespread corruption and ensure self-sustainability in domestic production of quality fertilisers and pesticides. Meeting also demanded to arrange a special tribunal for ensuring reasonable compensation to the victims of wildlife menace and ensure permanent and scientific solution to the serious threat of loss of life, crops and domestic animals. Amendment to the forest conservation act is anti-Tribal and pro Corporate.

The meeting demanded the Union Government to levy 2% tax on the stop 1% of the people belongs to the super-rich; enhance corporate tax; re-introduce one third as wealth tax and succession tax to find financial resources at the rate of 7% of the GDP for rational, equitable distribution of wealth among workers, farmers and toiling people and ensure five fundamental rights of food, employment, health, education and pension to all citizens.

The GB congratulated the Devanahalli farmers of Karnataka, who had won the land struggle after 1189 days of consistent fighting. Meeting appreciated the Karnataka Horatta Samithy, the united action committee of the 13 affected villages, all the class and mass organisations, social activists, artists and those from all walks of life including media persons for the victory. As per the direction of the Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah, 1774 acres of land has been de-notified now from forcible acquisition. This victory inspires farmers and landowners in more than 600 struggle spots across India against indiscriminate, illegal land acquisition.

 SKM Campaign in Bihar - the SKM leadership will visit Bihar in September 2025 as part of the campaign to Punish BJP- NDA for their corporate policies and the details will be worked out by the SKM SCC of Bihar.

The meeting demanded the Election Commission of India to repeal the Special Intensive Revision of voters list intended to deny the voting rights to the poor people and also demanded action against ADG (HQ) of Bihar Police Kunthan Krishnan for depicting the entire farmers of Bihar as criminals engaged in Supari Murders.

Visit to Peasant Suicide Victim Families in Vidharbha, Maharashtra - the dates and other details will be decided in consultation with the SKM SCC.

The meeting adopted resolutions in support of farmers struggle in Sohana, Mewat, Haryana against betrayal of land owners by acquiring land without adequate compensation thus violating LARR Act 2013 and the farmers struggle in Himachal Pradesh against cutting of apple trees and evicting the houses of the tenant farmers cultivating for many generations in the forest land for more than 50 years violating the FRA, right for rehabilitation and resettlement.