Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 7: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) today announced district-level protests across J&K on March 9, the opening day of Parliament, against what it termed an “anti-farmers and anti-people” trade deal between India and the United States. The party also questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged pressure from US President Donald Trump and demanded his resignation.
Addressing media persons here, JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, former minister and District Congress Committee (DCC) president Jammu Urban Yogesh Sawhney and DCC president Jammu Rural Neeraj Kundan said simultaneous demonstrations would be organized at all district headquarters to oppose the “one-sided US deal” and what they described as the Government’s failure to safeguard India’s interests and sovereignty. Click here to watch video
The leaders alleged that the Centre had accepted terms dictated by the United States that were detrimental to India’s economic and strategic interests. They claimed that the US had imposed heavy tariffs on several Indian exports while seeking duty-free access for its products in the Indian market.
The JKPCC also criticized what it termed as “unprecedented interference” in India’s policy decisions, citing reports that the US had granted India only a limited exemption period to import cheaper fuel from Russia during the ongoing war situation, which they said was humiliating for the country.
Chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma questioned whether India required permission from any country to decide its trade and import policies. He said India should have the freedom to procure affordable products from countries willing to supply them instead of being forced to buy costlier goods.
The Congress leaders also expressed concern over the safety of Indian citizens, particularly students stranded in Iran and other Arab countries, many of whom belong to J&K, and urged the Union Government to take urgent steps to ensure their safe evacuation.
JKPCC spokesperson Rajiv Koul Saraf and chief media coordinator Neeraj Gupta were also present on the occasion.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
