Nationwide protests have begun against the India–US Trade Deal, which critics say opens India’s agricultural and industrial sectors to the United States, threatens farmers, agricultural labourers, and workers, and could push the Indian economy into a deep crisis. The AIKS announced in Mumbai that the struggle against what it termed the servile surrender of the Modi-led BJP government on the India–US Trade Deal will be intensified across Maharashtra.

This announcement was made at a special function on 17 February 2026 in Mumbai, organized to confer the “Shetkari Yoddha” (Farmer Warrior) awards on farmer activists who led the two recent Long Marches and other major farmers’ struggles across the state.

The award mementoes were presented by AIKS and AARM leader, former MP and current Leader of the Opposition in Tripura, Jitendra Chaudhury; AIKS National Vice President and MP from Rajasthan, Amra Ram; and AIKS National President, Dr. Ashok Dhawale.

Among those honored were 98-year-old veteran AIKS leader L B Dhangar and 90-year-old veteran woman fighter Kamlibai Bahota from Dahanu tehsil, who participated in both the 2018 Nashik and 2026 Palghar Long Marches.

Over 200 “Farmer Warriors” from several districts of Maharashtra were felicitated for their leading roles in major farmers’ struggles. These included the two massive AIKS-led Long Marches in Palghar and Nashik, each involving around 50,000 peasants in January 2026; the 10,000-strong joint loan waiver movement in Vidarbha, which compelled the Chief Minister to announce a loan waiver for farmers until 30 June 2026, with AIKS playing a central role; independent AIKS-led agitations in Marathwada for sugarcane prices, which successfully raised rates from Rs 2,200–2,400 to Rs 2,700–2,900 per tonne; campaigns for flood compensation in Marathwada; and struggles related to the Shaktipeeth Highway, temple and inam lands, and other local issues during the latter half of 2025.

A statewide call for protests was also issued to oppose the Modi government on the India–US Trade Deal, the proposed Seed Bill, the Electricity Amendment Bill, smart meters, the scrapping of MGNREGA and its replacement with Gram-G, and the four Labour Codes, while demanding implementation of the previously accepted Long March commitments.

Jitendra Chaudhury highlighted that during the tenure of the Left Front government in Tripura, over 90% of claims under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) were approved, and land was distributed to Adivasi farmers. He emphasized that AIKS is fighting on similar issues in Maharashtra and extended greetings on behalf of the people of Tripura to those struggling there. He also spoke on the erosion of the right to employment due to the repeal of MGNREGA and introduction of Gram-G, and noted that PESA, which offered some protection to Adivasi rights, has been significantly weakened by the Modi government. This has adversely affected the lives of Adivasis and facilitated corporate takeover of Adivasi land in the name of ‘ease of doing business.’ He called for sustained struggles to protect and strengthen the rights of peasants and Adivasis.

Amra Ram highlighted the victorious loan waiver movements in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, led both independently and jointly by AIKS, which secured thousands of crores of rupees for farmers. He reiterated the nationwide demand for a comprehensive farm loan waiver and a remunerative MSP. He strongly criticized the anti-peasant policies of the Modi government and the undemocratic manner in which Parliament functions, noting that anti-people policies are passed without discussion. He added that the country is being run for the benefit of crony corporates like the Adanis and Ambanis, and called for resistance “tooth and nail.”

Dr. Ashok Dhawale spoke on the tasks ahead to strengthen AIKS’s movement and organization. He outlined the dangers posed by the Modi-led government’s submission to US economic interests under the India–US Trade Deal, drawing connections to global corporate influence, and called for a massive, united struggle against this. He also criticized the communal, casteist, and neo-fascist tendencies of the BJP-RSS regime, emphasizing the need for a direct struggle against these forces.

AIDWA national leader Mariam Dhawale appreciated AIKS for recognizing the crucial role of women farmers in agriculture and farmers’ movements and called for sustained efforts to support women farmers’ rights across all spheres.

CITU state secretary and MLA Vinod Nikole congratulated the award recipients and stressed that only through large-scale class and mass struggles, coupled with efforts to raise political awareness, can the BJP-RSS be effectively challenged.

Other speakers, including Kiran Gahala, Kisan Gujar, Sunil Malusare, Prachi Hatiwlekar, Dr. S K Rege, Shailendra Kamble, Ajay Burande, Amol Waghmare, Jitendra Chopde, and Gulab Mulani, briefly addressed the gathering. AIKS State Secretary Dr. Ajit Nawale explained the objectives of the program in his introductory remarks, while AIKS State President Umesh Deshmukh presided over the event.