Farm Laws Rolled Back: RaGa Tweets 'Will be Forced...' Reminder, Protesters at Singhu Border Celebrate

Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed the three controversial farm laws on Friday while addressing the nation on the occasion of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary. The announcement comes ahead of key state assembly polls due in early 2022.

“Our government is doing its best to serve farmers. Efforts are being made to improve their financial well-being. Farm laws were brought to help small farmers. I want to tell everyone that we have decided to repeal all three farm laws,” PM Narendra Modi said.

The goal of the three farm laws was to empower farmers, especially small farmers, he said. The agriculture budget has risen by five times with over Rs 1.25 lakh crore being spent annually, Modi said. He also highlighted his govt’s measures to benefit small farmers. “I have experienced farmers’ difficulties, challenges from very close quarters in my five decades of public life,” the prime minister said.

The stunning announcement received reactions from every end of the country. Opposition parties have congratulated the protesting farmers for their “victory” after PM Modi’s decision. The protest against the farm laws has been ongoing at the borders of the national capital, and across the country, for over a year now.

TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “My heartfelt congratulations to every single farmer who fought relentlessly and were not fazed by the cruelty with which BJP treated you. This is YOUR VICTORY! My deepest condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones in this fight.” “The power of people is always greater than the people in power,” Telangana Minister and TRS Working President KT Rama Rao said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the announcement of repealing the three farm laws is a victory of democracy and “defeat” of the arrogance of the Centre. He also said that it is a victory of the patience of farmers who kept agitating for the last one year. “The announcement of repealing all three black agricultural laws is a victory of democracy and defeat of the arrogance of the Modi government. This is a victory of the patience of the farmers who have been agitating for the last one year. The country can never forget that hundreds of farmers have lost their lives due to the short-sightedness and pride of the Modi government,” Gehlot tweeted.

Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “I want to congratulate all the farmers of the country, whose continuous protest and struggle have finally paid off and all three black laws are repealed. This is a win of farmers and democracy. Public will not forgive them (BJP) and people will wipe them out. In front of deaths of hundreds of farmers this fake apology will not work. People who are sorry should resign, they think by issuing a fake apology they will return to power, however people now know everything.”

“Somewhere the BJP government is also scared of elections and have repealed the laws because of vote not because they respect farmers. The farmers were insulted, no one could have imagined the way farmers were abused by BJP and its allies. Those responsible for mowing down farmers under jeep are still minister in BJP government, it is their responsibility to remove that minister whose is accused of mowing down farmers,” added Akhilesh.

Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati said, “The sacrifices of the farmers have paid off. The government in the end withdrew the three controversial laws though it is too late.”

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said, “Anyone who believes the government repealed the #FarmLaws out of the goodness of its heart is completely mistaken. This government only responds to cold hard numbers – bypoll setback = fuel price reduction. Poor internal polls numbers for Western UP & Punjab = #Farmlawsrepealed.”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “There is a sad part that more than 700 farmers lost their lives. Had the laws been repealed earlier, the lives of these farmers could have been saved. I salute these martyrs and their families. Nobody will forget your sacrifice.”

Meanwhile, Captain Amarinder Singh who has been critical of farm laws ever since it was passed in the parliament said, “Very happy that laws have been taken back… I thank PM. Rest issues should be discussed now… main issue was 3 farms laws which has been taken back, other issues can be taken up for discussion. No need for dharna now farmers should go back home and celebrate and call off the dharna… after the farmers’ issue is solved, we will sit with BJP and discuss the seat sharing.

Punjab Chief Minister Minister Charanjit Singh Channi welcomed the decision and said: “Decision to repeal 3 black farm laws is victory of longest peaceful people’s struggle that was started by farmers in Punjab. My salute to the Annadata.”

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu hailed the “sacrifice” of the farmers and called the move “a step in the right direction”. “Repealing of black laws a step in the right direction …. Satyagrah of Kisan morcha gets historic success…. You’re sacrifice has paid dividends…. Revival of farming in Punjab through a road map should be the top priority for the Pb govt ….accolades,” he tweeted.

Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena said, “Der aaye durust aye. Sena had recommended changes quite some time ago. Had they been accepted, this time wouldn’t have come. Victory for opposition parties.”

“What cannot be achieved by democratic protests can be achieved by the fear of impending elections! “, Congress’ P Chidabaram said. Other leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Derek’o Brien, Supriya Sule, Nawab Malik and several others reacted to the announcement.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Indian farmers have scripted one of the brightest chapters in the history of class struggles. “Salutes to the martyrs, farmers and organisations who fought with unmatched resoluteness and undying spirit.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin hailed the deicison and said, “I wholeheartedly welcome Hon’ble @PMOIndia ‘s decision to repeal the three anti-farmer laws. History teaches us that people’s wishes shall prevail in a democracy. I congratulate all the farmers & bow down to their determination for having achieved this through Gandhian means.”

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Welcome Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji’s (Narendra Modi) decision to repeal all 3 #FarmLwas, in the best interest of the country and its farmers. Your farms and families have been waiting for long and they will be happy to welcome you back. @bjd_odisha continues to stand with the farmers.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray advised the Union government to henceforth take other parties into confidence to avoid such “afterthoughts and embarrassment” in future. “The announcement of repealing the three farm laws underscores the power of common man in the country. The Union government should hold talks and take other parties into confidence to avoid the afterthoughts and embarrassments like today,” Thackeray said in a statement while welcoming the Centre’s decision.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said it was ridiculous and unfortunate that it took the Centre so long to withdraw the controversial legislations. Soren said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar should resign immediately.

“This morning, the Honourable Prime Minister of the country Narendra Modi announced the withdrawal of the black farm laws. This is very ridiculous and unfortunate (that it took the Centre so long). Now, the entire BJP is trying to project the prime minister as a well-wisher of farmers,” he said.

BJP Leaders Welcome Move

Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the decision to repeal three farm laws and said it will strengthen the “atmosphere of mutual harmony” in the society. In a tweet, the food and consumer affairs minister said, “The PM’s announcement regarding the farm laws is a welcome step.”

“The announcement made on the holy day of Gurpurab shows that the government is committed towards farmers’ welfare. It also reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “unflinching commitment to the welfare of our annadata (farmers)”, he said.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also welcomed the decision but expressed regret that the government was unsuccessful in convincing some farmers group about the benefits of these laws. Tomar, in a video message, said, These laws, which were passed by Parliament, would have definitely benefited farmers, and added that the PM’s intention behind these laws was to bring a “revolutionary change” in the lives of farmers.

“I am sad that we were not successful in convincing some farmers about the benefit of these laws,” Tomar said. The PM always tried to bring changes in the farm sector through these laws. But such situation arose that some farmers found problems in these laws. The government adopted the path of dialogue to discuss logically,” he said.

“We tried to convince but we’re not successful,” the minister said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai “It is not a question of bowing. This process of liberalisation and globalisation started in 1991-’92. As part of it, various laws were to be formulated. Further, the UPA government had signed an agreement with the WTO. Agriculture Reforms and the Agriculture Marketing Reforms were also part of it.”

Home Minister Amit Shah said what is unique about Modi’s announcement is that he picked the special day of ‘Guru Purab’ to make this. “It also shows there is no other thought except the welfare of each and every Indian for him. He has shown remarkable statesmanship,” he said.

Shah tweeted, “PM Narendra Modi announcement relating to the farm laws is a welcome and statesmanlike move. As the Prime Minister pointed out in his address, the Government of India will keep serving our farmers and always support them in their endeavours.”

BJP president J P Nadda noted that it was made on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. “Modi has shown that he has immense care for farmers, and this decision will further the atmosphere of brotherhood across the nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rakesh Tikait, the leader of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) said his outfit will not withdraw the farmers’ protest immediately but will instead wait for the controversial farm laws to be repealed in Parliament as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day.

Also Read: 3 Farm Laws Withdrawn, PM Asks Protesters to Return Home; Says ‘Will Work Harder for Farmers’

(With Inputs from Qazi Faraz Ahmad)

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