NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that his government has decided to repeal the three contentious farm laws, which were being opposed by a section of farmers for over one year now.

In a morning address to the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, Modi said, "I have come to tell you that we have decided to repeal the three farm laws. We will complete the constitutional process to repeal the three farm laws in the upcoming Parliament session starting at the end of this month," Modi said.

The PM said that over 80 per cent of farmers in the country were small farmers and they were a huge number of 10 crores who depended on their small land for their survival and the intention of the laws were to benefit them and protect their right, however, the government couldn't convince a section of farmers despite best efforts. He added that considering that it was the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, he said it was no occasion to blame anyone.

Modi said, "The intention of the laws were as clear as the light of the diya (lamp), however, there must have been some shortcoming in our efforts due to which we could not explain the truth, to some of our farmer brothers." 

The PM also requested the protesting farmer friends that considering today was the auspicious day of Guru Purab, to return home to your fields and family and make a new beginning, let us move forward afresh.

Modi led, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has passed the three laws, Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance & Farm Services Act 2020, Farmers Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Act & Amendment to Essential Commodities Act in September 2020, and the President, Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent for the bills on 27 September 2020.