Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the government has “opened the doors” of India’s agricultural sector in a way that could severely impact farmers across multiple states.
“Farmers Will Be Ruined,” Says Rahul
Addressing party workers and supporters, Rahul Gandhi claimed that farmers in states such as Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Odisha could face serious economic distress if foreign agricultural goods enter the Indian market unchecked.
He alleged that American products would “flow into India,” creating intense competition for domestic farmers and driving down crop prices. According to him, such a move could weaken India’s agricultural backbone, particularly in states heavily dependent on farming income.
“No PM Can Open Agriculture Like This”
In his speech, Rahul questioned the speed and manner of the alleged decision. He argued that no Prime Minister — whether from the Congress, BJP, or any other party — has the authority to fully open India’s agricultural sector without broad consultation and parliamentary debate.
Raising eyebrows, he also claimed that the Prime Minister had previously resisted such a move for months but then made a sudden shift. “If it could not be done in four months, how was it done in 15 minutes?” he asked, suggesting that the decision lacked transparency.
Backdrop: Trade Talks and Farmer Sensitivity
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions around trade policies and market access, which have historically been sensitive topics in India. Agriculture employs a large portion of the country’s workforce, and even minor policy changes often trigger strong reactions from farmer unions and political parties.
Past reforms related to farm laws had led to widespread protests, making any suggestion of market liberalisation a politically charged issue.
BJP Yet to Respond
The BJP has not yet issued a detailed response to Rahul Gandhi’s latest allegations. However, party leaders in the past have maintained that any trade-related decisions are made keeping national interest and farmer welfare in mind.
