Indian PM Modi’s scrapping of contentious farm laws after months-long protests is a surprise climbdown
- The move represents a giant climbdown for the Indian PM, who had seemed determined to wait out the controversy and year-long protests
- Analysts said the decision was taken out of fear that the BJP’s electoral chances could be hurt in coming state assembly elections
In a televised speech, Modi said the government had tried to convince the farmers that the agricultural reforms, passed in September last year, were in their best interests, but had failed.
“We have decided to withdraw all three agricultural laws. In the parliament session starting later this month, we will complete the constitutional process to repeal these three agricultural laws,” he said, adding: “Whatever I did, I did for farmers. What I’m doing is for the country.”
“While apologising to the nation, I want to say with a sincere and pure heart that maybe something was lacking in our efforts that we could not explain the truth to some of our farmer brothers,” the 71-year-old said during the address. He then went on to say: “Let us make a fresh start.”
Farmers in Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh had reacted furiously to the reforms, blocking roads, staging demonstrations, and holding rallies. Despite several rounds of talks and the Supreme Court suspending the laws for 18 months, the farmers refused to accept anything less than all three pieces of legislation being scrapped.