The missiles that fell on Tehran have shattered the lives of Basmati growers in Haryana, banana farmers in Solapur, and grape cultivators in Maharashtra, the AIKS says
NEW DELHI – Issuing a scathing indictment of the Narendra Modi government’s complicity in the US-Israel war on Iran, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Thursday demanded an immediate and comprehensive relief package for millions of farmers, workers, and exporters whose livelihoods have been devastated by the conflict.
“While the mainstream media is obsessed over GDP percentages and trade deficits, the blood of Indian farmers is being spilled on the altar of American imperialism. The missiles that fell on Tehran have shattered the lives of Basmati growers in Haryana, banana farmers in Solapur, and grape cultivators in Maharashtra. This is not merely an economic shock; it is a direct consequence of the government’s decision to align with war criminals and open Indian agriculture to plunder via recent trade deals with the US,” the AIKS statement said.
“This unjust war,” it said, has triggered the crunch of crude oil supply along with other economic and strategic concerns. “Due to the escalating war situation, a significant surge is being seen in crude oil prices. Brent crude prices have seen a major jump in the past week, reaching around $84. An increase of one dollar in crude oil prices raises India’s import expenditure by $2 billion. Amidst this, against the backdrop of economic stress created by the escalating war, the Indian rupee has witnessed significant volatility.”
On Thursday (March 5), due to the Reserve Bank of India’s intervention, the rupee has barely managed to hold at the 91.82 level against the dollar, making imports even more expensive. “The farming community is likely to bear the maximum brunt of the rising crude oil prices. The crisis in oil availability directly impacts the production of fertilisers, which are essential for farmers. If the government does not increase the provision for fertiliser subsidy, there is a risk that fertiliser prices will remain at elevated levels in the upcoming season, further adding to farmers’ production costs,” the AIKS said.
“The war has choked the Strait of Hormuz, a lifeline for Indian agriculture through which 56% of our merchandise exports must pass. Overnight, the potential income of millions has turned into trapped debt. The government’s response—mere ‘monitoring’ of the situation—is a betrayal of the highest order,” it said.
