Apologising to nation, PM announces repeal of three contentious farm laws

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced repeal of the three contentious farm laws that has triggered a year of protests by farmers, in a dramatic move seen as a climbdown, and also apologised to the nation over his government not being able to "convince" a section of farmers about the "truth" regarding their benefits.

The prime minister in his speech that comes ahead of key Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab early next year noted that it is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and no occasion to blame anyone.

"I have come to tell you that we have decided to repeal the three farm laws. In the upcoming Parliament session starting at the end of this month, we will complete the constitutional process to repeal the three farm laws," Modi said in his 9 am address.

He appealed to all his farmer friends to return home to their fields and families and make a new beginning on this auspicious occasion, a day when gurudwaras across the country are lit up to celebrate the festival. Thousands of farmers had set up camps at entry points into the national capital since November 26 last year.

Let us move forward afresh," Modi said, adding that the goal of the three agriculture reform laws was to empower farmers, especially small farmers.

Quoting the last Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, Modi wished that he never back down from doing good work.

"Whatever I did, I did for the farmers and whatever I am doing, I am doing for the country. With your blessings, there was no deficiency in my hard work even earlier. Today I assure you that I will work harder now so that your dreams can come true, the dreams of the country can come true," he said.

The prime minister also spoke at length about the benefits the farm laws were expected to bring to farmers, especially those with small landholdings, and his government's good faith in enacting these legislations.

The government brought them with full integrity and clear conscience in the interest of farmers and country, he added. Leaders of farmers' unions, however, fear that the laws will expose them to the vagaries of the free market and corporatisation of agriculture.

The prime minister then apologised to people of the country, saying he wanted to convey to them with a "sacred heart" that there may have been some shortcomings in the government's efforts that it could not convince some farmers about the truth which was "as clear as the light of a candle".

"There may have been some shortcoming in our efforts due to which we could not explain the truth, as clear as the light of the diya, to some of our farmer brothers," Modi said, referring to the protests, spearheaded by farmers from Punjab and also Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. which left about 700 dead.

Apart from repealing the laws, Modi also announced setting up a committee to make MSP system more effective and transparent as well as suggest ways to promote zero budgeting based-agriculture, a term for farming based on natural fertilizers and local seeds, to change crop patterns as per the changing needs of the country.

Later, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) issued a statement and said, "The PM Narendra Modi is democratic in approach regarding taking decisions and accordingly though the Government is made by numbers but run by consensus in a democratic and statesmanlike manner. For the PM, it is always the Nation first, Nation Always and keeping the interest of Nation and farmers as foremost."

It said, "11 round of discussions were held with farmers and though the laws were to empower farmers especially small farmers, the PM decided to repeal the laws despite the governments intentions to convince a section of the farmers."

It also said that the PM has always held the highest regard and respect for the Sikh community.