The withdrawal of the three farm bills, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an address to the nation, has generated much debate. “The bills were brought in the interest of the farmers and they are being withdrawn in national interest,” said Modi in his address. So, Modi was right when he said, “The bills were brought in the interest of the farmers.” But what about the second part of the assertion that “they are being withdrawn in national interest”? If this meant that in the national interest, Modi had to take a step back on the farm bills then he did. This column first appeared in the print edition on November 23, 2021 under the title ‘Stepping back in national interest’.

Source: Indian Express November 24, 2021 07:06 UTC