PM Narendra Modi's Gurpurab surprise was strongly driven by concern over the fallout of the prolonged agitation in Punjab, a border state where the possibility of fresh disaffection was seen to be a problematic issue that needed an urgent outreach to the Sikh community as the stir showed no signs of a resolution.

The need to remove what has been a thorn in BJP's side ahead of important state elections, particularly UP, has widely been seen as as a trigger for the announcement, but BJP and government sources stressed that the souring of inter-community relations in Punjab was a stronger reason.

The announcement came soon after the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrimage was restored, and Modi remembered Guru Nanak in the two meetings he addressed in UP later in the day. Modi had observed the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur and visited Gurudwara Rakabganj. He has recalled the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's two sons in his Mann Ki Baat.

Sources said this will not be the first time Modi has repositioned in view of a developing situation, having removed the national population register from the government's programme during a poll rally in Delhi in 2020 or, on a lesser scale, sidestepping the net-zero trap at Glasgow. The assessment that the farm stir had become a lightning rod of all manner for BJP's opponents also prompted the party brass to consider repeal of the laws.

Government functionaries argued that reforms will not be abandoned, pointing out that the decision to withdraw the land acquisition bill post the 2014-win did not end the process, which was easily adapted by states. There is also a view, that even if the decision reads like a retreat, it might be better to come across as humble and end the confrontation at a time when economic indicators are looking up and efforts are on to come out of the Covid effect.

The repeal of the three farm laws as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday has two big messages — that the government has put “national interest” above all and that it “listens to the farmers”, be it withdrawing the controversial land acquisition ordinance in 2015 or the three farm laws now, top officials in the government said.

Sources in the BJP said the prime minister took a “democratic and statesman-like approach" in “national interest” because there were still “a small number of farmers” who opposed the farm laws despite the best efforts of the government to convince them. Sources added that the government had inputs that the farmers’ movement was being explored by vested interest groups who support the Khalistan or the Pakistan ISI network. The prime minister was clear that nothing that weakens India’s strategic interests would be allowed to continue and nothing came before the country’s unity and integrity, a BJP source said.

The ‘tactical retreat’ nevertheless could also bring political dividends for the BJP which wishes to get back in the election game in Punjab and also secure its fortress in Uttar Pradesh whose western part witnessed protests over the farm laws.

In Punjab, the road to an alliance with Captain Amarinder Singh is now clear for the BJP as the former CM had put the repeal of the laws as a pre-condition for any understanding. In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party and Jayant Choudhary’s RLD were rallying the farmers in the west on the issue of farm laws. The BJP would hope that it has neutralised the one issue that seemed against it in Uttar Pradesh. Punjab and UP go to the polls in less than three months. The Opposition, however, is projecting this as their major victory.

Government insiders said the PM had put “national interest” above all and the government was cognizant that some anti-India elements were trying to take advantage of the situation created by the farmers’ year-long protest at Delhi borders. The government felt the situation was playing directly into the hands of such elements wanting to create fissures between communities and upset the social fabric of the country.

“The prime minister would be more disappointed than anyone else over (the repeal) of the farm laws as he had brought them with the pious intention of increasing the income of the farmers. A majority of the farmers had welcomed these laws and the PM did mention the same in his address today,” an official said.

Modi in his address said that despite the best efforts of the government to talk to the protesting section of the farmers and an offer to suspend the farm laws for two years, the government could not convince this section about the three farm laws. He, hence, said the laws will be repealed in the upcoming Parliament session from 29 November.

In his announcement, the prime minister also recalled the number of steps taken for the benefit of the farmers by his government and said farmers were the “top priority” of his agenda. “The reform journey in the agricultural sector will continue in the present government,” a senior government official said.

Sources in the BJP said Modi is very sensitive to the feelings of the Sikh community. The Kartarpur corridor was opened again recently and on the Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak, the farm laws were repealed, the source said. “PM Modi has spent a few years in Punjab and Chandigarh doing political work where he developed a close bond with the Sikh community. As Gujarat CM, he had taken a personal interest in repairing Lakhpat Gurudwara in Kutch which was destroyed in the 2001 earthquake. PM Modi will never let the Sikh community down,” the BJP source said.

(With inputs from agencies)