The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Wednesday strongly opposed the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States, terming it a “death knell” for Indian agriculture and accusing the Centre of surrendering domestic agrarian interests to please foreign powers.
In a press statement, AIKS leaders expressed grave concern over the ongoing negotiations led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian authorities. The farmers’ organisation alleged that while the Indian Parliament has been kept in the dark regarding the details, foreign officials have publicly indicated that the pact is near completion, with US demands on dairy access remaining a key talking point.
The peasant front claimed that concessions on agricultural products — including dairy, soybean, maize, cotton, apples, and nuts —would severely harm local cultivators who cannot compete with heavily
subsidised American
industrial farming.
Highlighting recent policy moves, the AIKS pointed out that the Government lowered basic import duties on crude and refined edible oils in late September, right at the onset of the kharif soybean harvest, directly impacting farmers in key producing States like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
“Opening the dairy market without limits is a direct threat to daily household income for Indian dairy farmers, as heavily subsidised foreign production could undercut local procurement prices,” AIKS President Ashok Dhawale and General Secretary Vijoo Krishnan warned in the joint statement.
Warning the Union Government of “militant resistance” across rural belts if the pact is finalised, the organisation called on its units to prepare for a protracted struggle against the deal. It also urged farmers to participate in large numbers in the Samyukt Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) scheduled march to the national capital on October 23.Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan announced on Wednesday that this year’s Ekta Parade will celebrate the elimination of armed Naxalism in 2026. The main event starts on October 31, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in the morning, and the Ekta Parade will take place in the evening. The Ekta Diwas parade will mark the end of armed Naxalism in the country, and this will be shown through three different performances.
The Home Secretary explained that the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar have two main goals. One is to showcase the work of the Police forces, CAPFs, and CPOs. The other is to encourage people from all over India to visit Ekta Nagar and the Statue of Unity. He also mentioned that new attractions have been developed, making Ekta Nagar a popular tourist spot.
This year’s parade will feature State Police forces and CAPFs who have led the fight against armed Naxalism. As each group passes Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2026, a short film will play on LED screens, highlighting their main achievements. The National School of Drama (NSD) will present around 2,000 artists from 126 districts who have at some point witnessed the menace of armed Naxalism.
These artists will, through their performances, showcase the struggle they have gone through when armed Naxalism was rampant, and their lives and properties were threatened. Govind Mohan said cultural theme for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is Vande Mataram. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, and many new parade features are inspired by it.
The Union Home Secretary said Government ministries, departments, or state Governments usually design the tableaux. This year, the Government invited designs and ideas for the tableaux through national competitions held on MyGov, both across India and in every district of Gujarat. He said that 15 tableaux will be created using themes and designs from national and state-level competitions. He said this approach aims to reflect people’s aspirations, and for the first time, a people’s tableau will be presented in Ekta Nagar.
This year, the play will be based on Anandamath by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, to mark the Vande Mataram anniversary. The play will highlight the idea that every Indian has a part in building the country’s future, preserving culture, and helping achieve national goals.