Farmers’ union to mobilise one million ‘swayamsevaks’ to fight trade deals
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) plans to mobilize one million volunteers to protest against India's free trade agreements. The group intends to restart nationwide protests in November if their demands for legal minimum support prices and loan waivers are not met.
Why it matters
Large-scale farmer protests have historically had significant impacts on Indian domestic policy and political stability.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella organisation for about 500 farmers’ outfits, has decided to enrol one million young kisan swayamsevaks (farmer volunteers) to protest against bilateral and multilateral trade treaties the country has signed or proposes to sign with other countries. The organisation will hold kisan panchayats in one lakh villages in September and October to galvanise farmers against such free trade agreements (FTAs).
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