Farmers, tenant farmers, agricultural labourers, employees, and public associations beneath the NTR District Farmers, Tenants Workers, Agricultural Labourers, People’s United Forum staged a dharna at Dharna Chowk, Vijayawada, on Wednesday, burning an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump.

They demanded that corporates be stored out of agriculture, the quick withdrawal of Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian exports, scrapping of free commerce agreements (FTAs), and repeal of the 4 labour codes. Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha nationwide basic secretary Ravula Venkayya termed the tariff transfer — reportedly in retaliation for India importing Russian crude — “conceited” and sought a parliamentary debate on all FTAs.

Marking the 83rd Quit India Movement anniversary, protesters raised slogans resembling “Multinational Corporations Quit India” and “Big Corporates Quit Agriculture.” Former Agriculture Minister Vadde Shobhanadreeswara Rao warned that the proposed National Agriculture Market regulation would finish MSP and procurement.

Senior chief Y. Keshavarao criticised subsidy cuts, increased fertiliser costs, and lowered value stabilisation funds. Tenant farmers’ chief P. Jamalaih opposed FTA clauses enabling dairy and poultry imports, whereas Congress Kisan Cell chief Kaman Prabhakar Rao opposed pressured farmland acquisition. Other leaders, together with D. Harinath, V. Krishnayya, and M. Venkata Reddy, referred to as for regulation of subsidised agricultural imports.

The dharna was chaired by Malnidi Yellamanda Rao and P.V. Anjaneyulu.

Published – August 13, 2025 11:37 pm IST

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