In a televised address, Modi announced that all three farm laws will be repealed and the process will begin in the upcoming Parliament session. He urged the protesting farmers to go back to their families and start anew. Leaders of the protests responded with cautious optimism and planned to meet in New Delhi to discuss the next steps. The announcement was made on Guru Nanak Jayanti, a holiday celebrated by Sikhs worldwide, many of whom are among the protesters. Farmer leader Ramandeep Singh Mann expressed his excitement, comparing the news to conquering Mount Everest. Mann stated that it is still uncertain whether the government will agree to farmers' demand for a separate law guaranteeing a minimum price for crops. He mentioned that farmers will continue their protest outside New Delhi until Parliament officially repeals the three laws. Modi's government had been supportive of the market-friendly laws passed last year, despite farmers' insistence on their repeal. The protesters endured harsh winter conditions, summer heat, and a deadly COVID-19 outbreak while remaining in their tents. Modi's government had justified the new laws as a means to attract private investment to a sector that a significant portion of India's population relies on for their livelihood. However, farmers, who are already burdened by debt and bankruptcies, were concerned that the reduced regulations would make them vulnerable to large corporations. The decision to repeal the laws coincides with Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party ramping up its campaign in upcoming elections in states where many protesting farmers reside. Despite numerous unsuccessful negotiations, farmers began following top government officials during their travels in northern India this fall to ensure that their concerns were heard. In October, a confrontation between a BJP convoy and protesting farmers in Uttar Pradesh resulted in the deaths of four protesters and four others, including a local journalist. The son of a minister in Modi's government is being investigated for murder, along with others, in the incident. Jagdeep Singh, whose father Nakshatra Singh was one of the victims, stated that the repeal of the laws is a tribute to those who lost their lives during a year of protests, whether due to harsh conditions, health issues, or other reasons. One farm leader reported that around 750 protesters have died, although the government claims to have no data on this. Singh believes that the repeal is a victory for the farmers who sacrificed their lives to protect the less fortunate from corporate greed. "They must be happy and smiling wherever they may be." - ©2021 The New York Times Company.