The Government Has Broadly Four Options
1. Scrap the farm laws, project Modi as a statesman
This is a dramatic possibility but it may help the government address criticism that it has become afflicted by arrogance and hubris.
However, it is an unlikely one, given the Modi government’s track record. It isn’t quite known to be receptive to feedback and climbing down after raising the stakes. The rollback of the land acquisition bill in the beginning of Modi’s first term is the only major exception to this.
2. Stay the farm laws for an even longer period
The government has already proposed to put the farm laws on hold for 18 months. A possible option could be to extend this to say 36 months, which would pretty much mean the end of the government’s tenure.
Through this the government could contain farmers’ anger while keeping corporates happy with the promise that it would implement these laws if its gets a fresh mandate in 2024.
3. Maintain status quo and try to delegitimise the protest
The…