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'Betrayal to the farmers': Arvind Kejriwal criticizes Centre over decision to remove import duty on cotton
Aug-28-2025

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of ‘betraying farmers’ after the government removed an 11% import duty on American cotton. 

At a press conference in Delhi, Kejriwal said, PM Modi has taken some decisions behind our backs which are a huge betrayal of the farmers of the entire country. Recently, under the pressure of Trump and America, it has been decided that the cotton that comes to India from America, till now, there was an 11 per cent duty on it. In the last few days, the Modi government has decided that the 11 per cent duty has been removed. Now, no duty will be imposed on the cotton coming from America from 19 August to 30 September, for 40 days... Now, the cotton that will come or has started coming from America, is roughly cheaper in India than the cotton of Indian farmers by an average of Rs 15-20 per kg’. 

Kejriwal claimed that once these decisions are implemented, farmers will be left with no option but to commit suicide. He also demanded that the government immediately reverse the decision and an 11% import duty should be reimposed on cotton from America to protect the country’s farmers.

The former Delhi chief minister also criticised US President Donald Trump, describing him as weak in the face of global opposition. He said, 'If US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff, we should impose a 100% tariff on America’. Kejriwal said that the government was failing to protect Indian interests. AAP chief also argued that India needed to take a tougher stand against Washington.


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