Farmers' Unions Hold Protest in Amritsar Against G20 Summit; Claims It Promotes Imperialism

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and Punjab Lok Morcha organized the protest march. The protest took place in the Daburji area, 12 kilometers from the G20 Summit meeting location. Protesters used placards and banners that read "Leave the WTO. Repeal the treaties with imperialists," "Inqilab Zindabad, Samarajawad Murdabad," and "Stop offering the country's resources to corporates" are among the demands.

The Punjab government has stated that adequate security measures are in place and that no protests will be permitted at G20 Summit venues. Farmers told the media that the G20, World Bank, and IMF are promoting imperialism. They claimed that these international organizations profited from the resources of countries such as India. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, chief of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), stated that international organizations' policies do not protect the interests of farmers and people in general.

"We are approaching the G20 because the International Group of Seven (G7) countries' policies have never favored us, whether in the farm sector, power, education or health services, or agriculture policies. All of these policies have come at a high cost to us. The G7 nations have had an impact on the entire global economy," Joginder Singh Ugraha stated.

"The G7 nations are luring the 13 developing countries with their own interests in mind," he added.

The G20, IMF, and WTO, according to Jagmail Singh, state secretary of the Lok Morcha in Punjab, are promoting imperialism.

"We also oppose the G20, which is affiliated with imperialist organizations such as the WTO and IMF. Their policies have irreparably harmed the state's education, health, and business sectors," according to Jagmail Singh.

"This time, India is hosting the summit, which was previously hosted by other countries, which also faced opposition," he claimed.

Jagmail Singh also claimed that the G20 was stealing their jobs and educational opportunities. "We urge the Government of India to withdraw from the WTO and abandon policies that promote imperialism," he said.

The Punjab Police conducted a special cordon and search operation in the state ahead of the G20 meeting, during which raids were conducted on locations and hideouts associated with foreign-based gangsters and their associates.

Police have prohibited the use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles at G-20 Education Working Group meeting locations, as well as delegates' lodgings and travel routes.

The main educational event is being held in Amritsar from March 15-17. In addition, the L20 meeting on labor is set for March 19-20. The education event brought together G20 Education Working Group delegates to discuss the future of work and innovation.