Jammu, March 9: The Indian National Congress on Monday staged a massive protest in Jammu against the proposed India–US Trade Deal, alleging that the agreement could adversely affect farmers, traders and local industries across the country, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was led by Tariq Hameed Karra, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, and witnessed participation from several senior party leaders including Raman Bhalla, Mula Ram, G. M. Saroori, Ravinder Sharma, Neeraj Kundan and Yogesh Sawhney, along with a large number of party workers and supporters.
Carrying placards and raising slogans against the agreement, the protesters demanded an immediate rollback of the trade deal, expressing serious concerns over what they described as its potential negative impact on the agricultural sector, small traders and local produce. The Congress leaders alleged that such trade arrangements could allow foreign products to dominate the domestic market, thereby putting the livelihoods of farmers and small-scale businesses at risk.
Addressing the gathering, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra said the party would continue to raise its voice against any policy that undermines the interests of farmers, traders and local industries. He emphasized that the concerns of people from Jammu and Kashmir must be taken into account before implementing any such trade arrangements.
Other senior leaders, including Raman Bhalla, Mula Ram and G. M. Saroori, also addressed the protesters and warned that the agreement could lead to severe economic consequences for local producers if protective measures are not ensured.
During the protest, some demonstrators also burned the flag of Israel, expressing anger over the rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The protesters voiced solidarity with the victims of the ongoing conflict and called for peace and stability in the region.
Congress leaders reiterated that the party would continue to organize protests and public awareness campaigns to highlight what they termed as the adverse implications of the India–US trade deal and to safeguard the interests of farmers, traders and local industries.
