A Strong Condemnation: Pabitra Kar’s Leadership in the ‘Quit Corporate India’ Protest Shakes Tripura’s Political Landscape

The air in Agartala, Tripura, was charged with defiance and resolve on August 14, 2025, as a powerful demonstration unfolded under the banner of “Quit Corporate India.” Led by Pabitra Kar, the convenor of the Tripura chapter of the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the protest was a joint initiative with a coalition of ten central trade unions. The day, marking the 83rd anniversary of the Quit India Movement, served as a poignant backdrop for a modern-day struggle against perceived foreign economic domination and corporate exploitation. This decisive Pabitra Kar protest galvanized public attention, drawing a clear parallel between the historical fight for political freedom and the current battle for economic sovereignty.

The Genesis of the Pabitra Kar Protest

The core of the Pabitra Kar protest lies in its firm opposition to two major international agreements: the proposed Indo-US trade deal, known as “FETA-CITA,” and the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). These deals, according to the protestors, represent a grave threat to the nation’s economic interests, particularly for its agricultural sector and indigenous industries. The movement began at Bhanu Ghosh Smriti Bhavan and culminated in a significant public gathering at Paradise Chowmuhani, where the leaders articulated their collective anxieties and demands. The strategic timing of the protest on the Quit India anniversary was a deliberate choice, designed to evoke a sense of patriotic duty and to frame their struggle not merely as a political agitation but as a national movement for economic independence.

Key Demands and Ideals of the Pabitra Kar Protest

The protesters presented a clear and unified set of demands, which formed the ideological backbone of the Pabitra Kar protest:

• Protecting National Sovereignty: The demonstrators argued that the proposed trade deals would cede significant control over India’s economic policies to foreign powers, thereby compromising national sovereignty. They emphasized that economic self-reliance is a prerequisite for genuine political independence.
• Halting “Corporate Looting”: A central slogan was “Stop corporate looting.” This encapsulated the fear that large multinational corporations, facilitated by these trade agreements, would unfairly exploit India’s resources and markets, leading to the bankruptcy of local farmers and small industrial organizations.
• Safeguarding Farmer and Industrial Interests: The protest specifically highlighted the detrimental impact these deals could have on farmers. The protestors voiced concerns that an influx of cheap foreign goods and the potential for unfair trade practices would undermine local agricultural markets and cripple domestic industries, leading to widespread job losses and economic instability.

Pabitra Kar’s Incisive Commentary

During the public meeting, Pabitra Kar delivered a powerful address, accusing the Modi government of accepting a subservient role to the United States. He contended that the government was “sacrificing the interests of agriculture and farmers” and maintaining a deafening silence on the recent trade developments. Kar’s rhetoric was particularly sharp when he spoke of US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% trade tax on Indian goods and penalize countries trading oil with Russia. He characterized this as a “shameless American attack on the Indian economy,” highlighting the aggressive stance of the US and the perceived lack of a strong Indian response. The Pabitra Kar protest thus became a platform for direct criticism of the central government’s foreign and economic policies.

Supporting Voices and Concerns

The message of the Pabitra Kar protest was echoed by other prominent figures. Shankar Prasad Datta, the CITU state Secretary, expressed his deep concern over the negative ripple effects of US tariffs. He pointed out that these tariffs not only hinder the sale of Indian products in international markets but also threaten the viability of the country’s industrial sector. This broad-based consensus among the leaders underscores the widespread unease among various labor and farmer organizations regarding the future of India’s economic landscape under the shadow of these trade agreements.

The Long-Term Significance of the Pabitra Kar Protest

The Pabitra Kar protest represents a significant moment of public mobilization in Tripura. It demonstrates a growing opposition to global trade agreements that are perceived to favor foreign corporate interests over domestic ones. The protest serves as a wake-up call for policymakers to reconsider the potential consequences of such deals on the livelihoods of millions of Indians. As the Quit India anniversary reminder shows, the struggle for national dignity and economic self-determination is a continuous process. The movement initiated by Pabitra Kar and his allies highlights the importance of vigilance and collective action in protecting the nation’s interests against what they see as a new form of economic colonialism.