Kannur: Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, spoke at the ‘Karshaka Sangamam’ (Farmers Convention) in Peravoor, Kannur district, Kerala. The event brought together farmers, local Congress leaders, and community members to discuss agricultural challenges. Gandhi emphasized the critical role of farmers in India’s economy and society.
He likened India’s structure to a building, stressing that just as a strong foundation is essential for any construction, agriculture and farmers form the unbreakable base of the nation. Without respecting and protecting this foundation, no progress in sectors like IT or industry can endure. Gandhi lamented that farmers, who toil daily to put food on every table, receive little respect or security despite their indispensable contribution. He argued that overlooking or undermining them threatens the country’s stability.
Gandhi highlighted persistent issues faced by farmers nationwide, including man-animal conflicts (such as elephant attacks in Kerala), inadequate cold storage and food preservation facilities, and failure to secure minimum prices for produce. He called for greater empathy and practical support.
A major part of his speech targeted an alleged India-US trade deal under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Gandhi claimed the agreement opens India’s agricultural markets to American products like soybean, corn, and fruits. He described this as a “criminal act,” arguing that small, less-mechanized Indian farms cannot compete with large-scale, highly mechanized US operations. This, he said, would devastate Indian agriculture—the very foundation built through efforts like the Green Revolution and White Revolution.
Gandhi alleged the deal stalled for months over agriculture concerns but proceeded due to external pressures on Modi. He claimed Trump leveraged two issues: unreleased Epstein files (allegedly containing information about Modi) and the ongoing US case against the Adani Group, which he described as central to the BJP’s financial infrastructure. By yielding, Gandhi asserted, Modi was “digging up” India’s foundation with a metaphorical JCB excavator, sacrificing farmers to protect personal and political interests. He noted no prior Indian Prime Minister would have permitted such access, and criticized media silence on the matter.
Gandhi recounted being silenced in Parliament during the President’s address when attempting to raise these concerns, an unprecedented restriction on the Leader of Opposition.
Turning to Kerala, Gandhi urged participation in crafting the UDF manifesto for upcoming elections. He advocated treating farmers and laborers as the state’s foundation, with government acting as a service provider rather than waiting for complaints. Key needs include guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP), robust cold chains and storage, and support during crises.
He addressed Kerala’s man-animal conflict, acknowledging its complexity from his experience as Wayanad’s MP. Gandhi promised a future UDF government would approach it sensitively with technology and expert input to minimize harm.
Gandhi further reaffirmed commitment to protecting farmers, ensuring India’s and Kerala’s growth rests on respecting agriculture’s foundational role rather than compromising it for external deals or self-preservation.