Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi found the generosity of the spirit of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary to finally do the right thing and withdraw the anti-farmer reform bills which has created a modern revolution in India with farmers laying down in their lives in all out fight against the government’s oppressive stance on agricultural change in India. 

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff With News Files

NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi found the generosity of the spirit of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary to finally do the right thing and withdraw the anti-farmer reform bills which has created a modern revolution in India with farmers laying down in their lives in all out fight against the government’s oppressive stance on agricultural change in India. 

Modi announced Thursday that the BJP govt has decided to repeal all the three controversial farm laws in the upcoming winter session of parliament. 

Modi in his address to the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti made the surprising announcement which comes on the heels of upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab next year.

“We couldn’t convince a section of farmers despite our best efforts. The goal of the three farm laws was to empower farmers, especially small farmers,” he said.

The big announcement, which comes just as Punjab readies itself for assembly polls, will be looked at as a measure to appease the farmers of the state who protested the most against the bill.

In the first reaction coming after the announcement, Captain Amrinder Singh welcomed the move.

Meanwhile, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait has said that the protests won’t be withdrawn till the three laws are actually repealed by the Parliament.

Modi in his address pointed out what his government has done to help the small farmers and gave his rationale for bringing the three agricultural reforms, which turned controversial later.

Modi said that farmers’ upliftment was the biggest priority for his government since he took office in 2014. He said that the laws were meant for the upliftment of the 10 crore small farmers of the nation.

Modi listed that the small farmers have received Rs 1 lakh crore in funds due to the crop insurance scheme launched by the government and that the agriculture budget has increased more than five times in his tenure.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted and said that the government has had to bow down to the farmers’ satyagraha (protests).

Punjab Congress leader and ex-cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu has also welcomed the move calling it a step in the right direction.

“Repealing of black laws is a step in the right direction …. Satyagrah of Kisan morcha gets historic success…. Your sacrifice has paid dividends…. Revival of farming in Punjab through a road map should be the top priority for the Pb govt ….accolades,” Sidhu tweeted.

The three bills in question are the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill and The Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Essential Commodities Act amendment bill.

The first is on agricultural market reforms, while the second is about contract farming provisions.