On the occasion of Guru Purab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that… Center will repeal three agriculture laws, a major step towards ending the impasse over controversial laws over which hundreds of farmers have been camping along Delhi’s borders for almost a year.
While PM Modi’s move has been welcomed by farmers’ unions and opposition parties, the protesting farmers are yet to say anything concrete to end their agitation.
Hundreds of farmers have been camping at three places along the Delhi border since November 2020, demanding repeal of the Farmer Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Agricultural Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
What did PM Modi say
Addressing the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, PM Modi apologizes On three agricultural laws and said that the government would repeal them. He also appealed to the protesting farmers to end their agitation and return to their homes.
Read | Three agricultural laws to be withdrawn. What were they all about?
“Whatever I have done, I have done for the farmers and whatever I am doing, I am doing for the country. With your blessings, there was no dearth in my hard work earlier also. Today I assure you that I am now doing more Will work hard so that your dreams can come true, country’s dreams can come true: PM Modi
PM Modi said the three agriculture laws were for the benefit of farmers but his government “could not persuade a section of farmers despite our best efforts”. “I apologize to the people of the country with a sincere and pure heart… We could not convince the farmers,” he said. There must have been something lacking in our efforts that we could not convince some farmers,” he said.
How did the farmers react?
Overall, the farming community has welcomed PM Modi’s decision. Farmers bursting crackers, distributing sweets at protest sites along Ghazipur, Tikri and Singhu borders welcomed the Centre’s move.
In a press statement, the United Kisan Morcha (SKM), which led the movement, an umbrella body of 40 farmer unions, called it a “historic, first victory for the farmers”.
“Historic first victory of farmers who have fought resolutely, unitedly, relentlessly and peacefully for a year so far in the historic Kisan Sangharsh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of repeal of three agricultural laws is a welcome step in the right direction, and farmers “The struggle has led to the restoration of democracy and federal politics in India,” the statement read.
Read | ‘Victory to farmers’: Everyone welcomed the decision to repeal three agricultural laws
The SKM, however, said several demands related to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) are pending. “SKM hopes that the Government of India, which has experienced a major jump in the declaration relating to this repeal, will not allow the declaration to go in vain, and will do its best to meet all the legitimate demands of the protesting farmers, including statutory legislation. Will try to guarantee a remuneration MSP,” the SKM statement read.
Bharatiya Kisan Sangh leader Rakesh Tikait welcomed the Centre’s move, but said the protest would not be withdrawn immediately. “We will wait for the day when agriculture laws will be repealed in Parliament. Along with MSP, the government should also talk to farmers on other issues,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), an RSS-affiliated farmer group, issued a statement saying that while the move to repeal the laws to avoid further confrontation is fine, it will not help the farmers.
Such arrogant attitude of these so called farmer leaders is not beneficial in the long run for the small farmers of our country which comprises about 90 per cent farming community.
“A correct version of these Acts (three agricultural laws), as suggested by BKS, would have been more beneficial for the largest number of farmers in our country,” BSK said.
What did BJP say?
The BJP described PM Modi’s announcement to repeal three agriculture laws as a “politician-like” move.
Home Minister Amit Shah said that the unique thing about PM Modi’s announcement is that he chose the special day of ‘Guru Parv’ to make it. “It also shows that he has no other consideration than the welfare of every Indian. He has shown remarkable politics,” he said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement related to agricultural laws is a welcome and statesmanlike move. As the Prime Minister pointed out in his address, the Government of India will continue to serve our farmers and will always support them in their endeavors. The Prime Minister noted Has shown politicians,” Amit Shah said in a tweet.
PM. what’s special in @Narendra Modi Ji’s announcement is that he chose the special day of ‘Guru Parv’ to make this announcement. It also shows that he has no other consideration than the welfare of every Indian. He has shown remarkable state skills.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 19, 2021
BJP President JP Nadda said, ‘BJP wholeheartedly welcomes the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that too on the special day of Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Our PM has shown that he cares a lot about our farmers. Brotherhood across our country. ,
He said, “The number of good governance measures taken by the Narendra Modi government is innumerable. Let us keep working together, and through our collective spirit, take India to even greater heights in the times to come.”
NS @BJP4India Warm welcome to PM @Narendra ModiAnnouncement, that too on the special day of Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Our PM has shown that he cares a lot about our farmers. This decision will create an atmosphere of brotherhood in the entire country.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) November 19, 2021
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath welcomed PM Modi’s decision Along with repeal of three agriculture laws, he expressed regret that despite best efforts of the government the farmers could not be reassured.
In a video message posted on Twitter, CM Yogi said, “The government tried to interact with the farmers at every level. But perhaps due to some deficiency on our part, we failed to explain our point to the people.”
“I, on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, wholeheartedly welcome the withdrawal of three agricultural laws by the Prime Minister,” he said.
what the opposition said
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the Centre’s decision as a “victory against injustice”. Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying, ‘The Annadata of the country’ has bowed its head through satyagraha.
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, , , , , , ,#Agriculture law repealed pic.twitter.com/Lzl61AHngR— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 19, 2021
In a series of tweets, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attacked the government for its treatment of farmers. “Martyrdom of more than 600 farmers. More than 350 days of struggle. Narendra Modi ji your minister’s son crushed the farmers, you didn’t care. Your party leaders insulted the farmers and called them terrorists, traitors, goons, Called a crook. You yourself called him an agitator,” said Priyanka Gandhi.
“Now that you have started seeing defeat in the elections, then suddenly you started to understand the truth of this country – that this country has been made by the farmers, this country belongs to the farmers, the farmer is the real caretaker of this country and no one in this country Even the government cannot crush the interests of the farmers.
“It is hard to believe in your luck and your changing attitude. The farmer will always be blessed. Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Bharat,” he said.
Congratulating the farmers, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “This is your victory! My deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones in this fight.”
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said PM Modi’s announcement was a victory for farmers’ protest. “I wholeheartedly welcome PM Modi’s decision to repeal three anti-farmer laws. History teaches us that in a democracy the will of the people will prevail. I congratulate all farmers and wish to achieve this through Gandhian methods. Salute his determination,” the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said in a tweet.
National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah said that anyone who believed that the government repealed agricultural laws for the good of his heart was completely wrong.
Read also | PM Modi withdrew agricultural laws that were not applicable. Why now?
Abdullah said in a tweet, “This government only responds to cold numbers – bypoll setback = fuel price reduction. Bad internal election numbers for western UP and Punjab = #farmlaw aborted.”
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav credited the farmers’ agitation for the Centre’s decision to repeal three agriculture laws. PTI quoted Akhilesh Yadav as saying, “I want to congratulate all the farmers. As a result of their constant agitation and struggle, today all three black laws have been withdrawn. The return of black laws is a defeat of their (government’s) ego. Is.” saying.
Akhilesh Yadav said, “People will not forgive him, he will be wiped out soon. There will be no basis for anyone’s false apology against the death of hundreds of farmers.”
Akhilesh Yadav demanded, “Those who have apologized should also promise to quit politics forever,” asserting that “they are thinking that by giving ‘dekhawati mafi’ (false apology) they will do it again. may come (to power), but people understand them.
what next?
According to PM Modi’s address, all three laws will be formally repealed during the winter session of Parliament, which begins on November 29. The Monsoon Session of Parliament was continuously disrupted by the opposition over agricultural laws, both inside and outside Parliament.
on Saturday, 32 Farmer Organizations of Punjab Will meet to decide on their future course of action and their stand on MSP.
Meanwhile, the decision-making body of the United Kisan Morcha is scheduled to meet on November 21. The final discussion on the demands related to the agitation and MSP will be held in this meeting, sources told India Today.
(with inputs from PTI)
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Watch: What does Rakesh Tikait have to say on the government’s decision to repeal agricultural laws?