Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has launched a major attack on the central government over the trade tension with America and the problems of farmers. He has directly demanded from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the country stands with you, just impose 75 percent import duty on America and show that India does not bow down under any pressure. He also termed the decision to remove cotton import duty as anti-farmer.
Kejriwal said in the press conference that America has imposed a 50 percent duty on India’s exports. In such a situation, the Modi government should teach America a lesson by imposing 75 percent import duty. He said, “The country stands with Modiji, just show courage once. If 75 percent duty is imposed, Trump will have to bow down.” He even said that Trump is a coward and a weak leader, who should get a strict answer.
Kejriwal also objected to the central government’s decision to remove the 11 percent import duty on American cotton by December 2025. He claimed that this will make American farmers rich, but the farmers of India including Gujarat will be ruined. He said that when American cotton comes to the market at cheap prices, Indian farmers will get less than Rs 900. Due to this, farmers may be forced to commit suicide under the burden of debt.
The AAP leader said that farmers take loans to buy seeds and fertilizers, pay labourers, but if they do not get the price for their produce, how will they repay the loan? He warned that the government’s policies are pushing farmers towards suicide. He also added that this crisis is not limited to agriculture, but the diamond industry and other export-based businesses are also being affected by it.
Kejriwal accused the central government of bowing down to US President Trump. He said that the Modi government has not only harmed the farmers by succumbing to US pressure, but has also hurt the country’s economic independence. He demanded that duty be re-imposed on American cotton, farmers should be given minimum support price and they should be given financial help.
