Protest
After NEET storm, Modi govt faces fresh challenge as farmers march to Delhi over India-US trade deal
New Delhi/IBNS: Even as the Narendra Modi government grapples with nationwide protests over the NEET-UG paper leak, it is now facing another major challenge with farmers from Punjab launching a fresh march towards Delhi against the India-US trade deal, according to media reports.
Police stopped the farmers at the Shambhu border—the main entry point into Haryana from Punjab—after erecting multiple barricades to prevent them from proceeding towards the national capital.
Protest Shifts to Shambhu Border
Denied entry into Haryana, the farmers converted the Shambhu border into a protest site, evoking memories of the February 2024 'Delhi Chalo' agitation, when thousands of farmers camped at border points after being stopped by security forces.
Despite the blockade, farmer groups from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh continued their mobilisation for a proposed Mahapanchayat in Delhi, calling for the Centre to withdraw the India-US trade agreement.
A large number of Punjab farmers reach Shambhu Border (Punjab-Haryana border) to protest against proposed Indo-US trade deal in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/zblpPtJKbt
— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) July 21, 2026
Why Are Farmers Opposing the Trade Deal?
Farmer organisations have expressed concern that the trade agreement could allow cheaper agricultural imports from the United States into the Indian market, putting pressure on domestic producers and affecting farm incomes.
They have demanded safeguards for Indian agriculture and assurances that key crops and procurement mechanisms will not be adversely affected by the agreement.
Farmers' Organisations Lead the Agitation
The protest is being spearheaded by organisations including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS).
The groups had earlier announced a nationwide strike on February 12 against the proposed trade deal, alleging that it favours imports at the expense of Indian farmers.
Echoes of the 2024 Farmers' Protest
The latest mobilisation has revived memories of the prolonged farmers' protests that began in 2020 against the three central farm laws. Following sustained demonstrations, particularly by farmers from Punjab and Haryana, the Centre repealed the three laws in November 2021.
The February 2024 'Delhi Chalo' march also witnessed farmers being stopped at the Punjab-Haryana border, where they remained camped for weeks while pressing for demands including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Centre Yet to Respond
The Centre has not yet issued a detailed response to the latest march. Security has been intensified at key border points around Delhi to prevent any breach of barricades, while officials remain on alert amid the possibility of the agitation expanding in the coming days.
The farmers have maintained that their protest will remain peaceful but have warned that they will intensify their movement if their concerns over the India-US trade deal are not addressed.
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