Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused the Indian government of betraying farmers by removing the 11 percent import duty on cotton, claiming the decision was made under pressure from the United States. In a statement on Thursday, Kejriwal said this move would make domestic farmers vulnerable as US cotton would now be available for ₹15-20 less per kilogram than Indian cotton. He argued that India’s textile industry is likely to purchase cheaper imports before October, which could leave Indian farmers without buyers as their produce hits the market.
“Farmers have heavily borrowed against their investments in cotton. This decision by the Modi government effectively nullifies their hard work. Last year, cotton farmers faced significant losses due to low prices, and the outlook for this year appears even bleaker,” Kejriwal asserted. He highlighted troubling statistics from Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, where cotton farmers are experiencing severe distress. Between January and March 2025, 767 farmers reportedly committed suicide. Kejriwal charged that instead of aiding these farmers, the Modi government has failed to support them.
Kejriwal also compared India’s tariff policies with those of other nations, noting that the European Union has imposed a 50 percent tariff on US cotton, China has set a 125 percent tariff, and Canada has a 35 percent tariff. He criticized the Indian government for “bowing to American pressure and abolishing the duty entirely.”
“The entire country wants to know why Modi ji bowed to Trump,” he remarked. He urged all political parties and farmers’ organizations to unite against the decision and announced that AAP would hold a Kisan Jan Sabha in Chotila, located in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, on September 7. He called for the immediate reinstatement of the duty on US cotton to protect Indian farmers.
“Already burdened by debt and rising suicide rates, farmers can’t withstand this blow. If this decision is not reversed, their situation will worsen in the coming days,” he warned.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/08/28/removal-of-duty-on-us-cotton-a-fatal-blow-to-farmers-kejriwal/
Category: NATIONAL,News Alert
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Publish Date: 2025-08-28 15:17:00
