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Agricultural legislation is repealed

INDIAN politicians have repealed agricultural legislation that provoked a year of nationwide protests by farmers, in a move that was seen as a major reversal and rare climbdown for prime minister Narendra Modi’s government, which had ardently defended the controversial reforms.

The Farm Laws Repeal bill passed the lower and upper houses of Parliament with scant debate

– 10 days after Modi announced the surprise decision to withdraw the three laws in a televised national address.

Protesting farmers have hunkered down in makeshift camps outside the capital of New Delhi since November last year to demand the removal of the laws, which they feared would drastically shrink their incomes.

The repeal bill will need to be signed by the president before it is formally implemented.

But farmers have said their demonstrations will continue. Just last week, thousands of jubilant farmers in tractors, jeeps and cars waved green and white flags as they drove around the roads ringing New Delhi to celebrate their victory, but they have made it clear the government has not met all their demands.

Rakesh Tikait, one of the farmers’ leaders, said that farmers needed government assurances of guaranteed prices for certain essential crops, like wheat and rice – a system introduced in the 1960s to help India shore up its food reserves and prevent shortages.

He demanded that the government set up a committee to settle these demands before the famers consider ending their protests.

Farmers form one of India’s most influential voting blocs.