July 17, 2026

The Search For The Elusive Middle Ground

By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2020-12-12 11:40:09

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Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is rightly defending the new farm bills at any given opportunity. The latest such came when he spoke at the virtual AGM of FICCI. The Prime Minister very eloquently said that if walls are allowed to remain between various sectors of the economy, none will prosper as per their given potential. Modi was of the view that the growth of one sector is never in isolation and it brings up several other sectors with it. The Prime Minister said that the new farm bills will help bring down the barriers between agriculture and associated sectors and it will create new markets for farmers who will benefit from new technology and investments.

It is good that the Prime Minister has taken it upon himself to explain to the people how his government is trying to reform the agriculture sector. The people know the government's viewpoint. It has been detailed is being disseminated through various media. But what the people do not know in detail is what the farmers are pointedly objecting to, what the government has tried to explain to them and how the government has tried to allay their fears. It would be better if the government publishes a white paper detailing all that has happened between the two negotiating teams since the first meeting took place. That would let the people know where the talks are getting stuck and whether there is a conspiracy by assorted groups, as being alleged by several ministers and BJP leaders, to scuttle the talks.

This matter is of vital importance to the nation and both sides repeatedly explaining their stands will lead to nowhere. Experts need to know the details of what is happening during the negotiations and why are the farmers still insisting on getting the laws repealed. The people need to know why a middle ground is not being found after so many hours of serious discussions. The government needs to appoint mediators who are trusted by the farm unions, who understand the stand of both parties and can help in resolving the issue. For, it is obvious that reforms are a pressing need for the agriculture sector and the new farms bills cannot be repealed. But it is also obvious that unless the concerns of the farmers are not fully addressed, they will keep on agitating and things might go out of hand. Hence, it will be best if the parties come to an understanding as fast as possible, by involving mediators if necessary.