The farmers’ protests that began more than a year ago are continuing despite the prime minister‘s apology and his government’s withdrawal of the three contentious farm laws. This has been probably the toughest domestic challenge Narendra Modi has faced since taking over the reins of the country after he led his party to victory in the 2014 elections. And in hindsight one can say, the ramming of the three farm laws through ordinance and later rushing them through the parliament, was his biggest mistake. His public apology to the farmers and withdrawal of the farm laws, even if it was dictated mainly by fear of elections as charged by his opponents, was the wisest decision in the circumstances. It has opened the doors for debate and dialogue with the farmers and has kindled hopes of breaking the impasse.Political leaders perched atop the power pyramid, far removed from ground realities, develop a cataract vision and are unable to see the writing on the wall. They are rarely known to take decisions without political considerations, and often with one eye on the elections. And combined with it, hubris prevents them from facing the truth. Modi is no exception to this tendency. Jawaharlal Nehru turned a deaf ear to reports of the Chinese army build up from his generals and with our weak military capabilities when China invaded Tibet, that led to the disastrous Chinese invasion of India. Indira Gandhi destroyed the autonomy of institutions. Narasimha Rao, though secular, erudite and sagacious, looked the other way and facilitated the destruction of the Babri Masjid to appease Hindus. Rajiv Gandhi did not obey the Supreme Court order in the Shah Bano case granting alimony to Muslim women with an eye on the Muslim vote bank. The list of blunders is long.Also read: RS Drops MP’s Question on Whether NRIs Were Deported, Asked to Stop Aiding FarmersA strong leader of the party that runs a government in a republic is always surrounded by a small coterie of confidantes, who morph into sycophants. They isolate him from the rest of the world. He becomes as much prone to follies as a monarch, who loses the common touch.But a people’s movement like the present farmers’ movement, in contrast to a political protest, when it is rooted in the soil, which is apolitical, and inspired by a common cause, is unlikely to fail. The cycle of seasons, the sowing and harvesting rhythms, tending to their farmstead animals, their duties and debts keep them tied to the soil. It is a clear message to those who rule, that even when the laws they enact are well intentioned, and even when the reforms are progressive, if the democratic processes are undermined and key stakeholders are not consulted, then they will be met with resistance.The means are as sacred as the ends. So in the present context, the farmers’ movement that led to the repeal of farm laws is a resounding validation of our democracy and a cause for celebration.It is easier to conquer than govern. All emperors who have reigned over their kingdoms have learnt this lesson after their victories, achieved through bloody wars, vanquishing rebellions and annexing territories.“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown,” said the bard. The many splendored regional turbans with resplendent colours that Modi often loves to wear must be heavier that even the weightiest crowns.This would have dawned on Modi and his Machiavellian home minster Amit Shah. They have excelled in the war of winning elections and the art of seizing power through swift machinations where states ruled by the opposition were unstable due to internal dissent. But managing such an operation is one thing, and governance that ensures equitable growth, stability and communal harmony is quite another.Economics is becoming increasingly complex, with geopolitics and globalisation getting intertwined. Listening to specialists is a good thing but they will give often conflicting opinions. George Bernard Shaw said, “If you lay all economists end to end they will point in all directions.” There is no silver bullet – ultimately it has to be political will and widespread consultation with the people whose lives will be affected. This can often lead to consensus.Parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Photo: LSTV/PTIThe three farm laws that have now been withdrawn contain far-reaching reforms and can do enormous good to millions of farmers when they have multiple choices to freely sell their produce in many markets. There are many attendant risks too. There were genuine fears and legitimate concerns that the APMCs may collapse because of the three laws and farmers will then be at mercy of not only MNCs but Indian corporates and crony capitalists.Equally important is the issue of federalism and Modi was himself a champion of that while he was the chief minister of Gujarat. Agriculture is a state subject. Modi had already announced that he will constitute an expert committee that will involve all stakeholders including state governments, farmers and agriculture scientists and economists. That is heartening.The passing of the Bills without a debate undid some of the goodwill the prime minister had won in the eyes of the people. An in-depth and vigorous debate would have cleared the fog and misgivings surrounding the farm laws and would have paved the way for enacting new laws, taking everyone on board. The House managers and the Speaker should have gone the extra mile to hammer out the rules for discussions. Both the passing of the Bill and withdrawal have been done without a debate, making the whole exercise a zero-sum game.Also read: After Victory, the Farmers Must Not Lose Sight of the Big PictureModi’s decision to withdraw the farm laws elicited a collective sigh of relief. Even if it was not a full-throated apology, the prime minister, who is never known to back down, showed some grace and opened the doors for dialogue and negotiations with the farmers. Everyone expected the farmers to return to their fields and their families. But the farmers have upped the ante and have now added a few more demands; plus the original demand of a guaranteed minimum support price still remains. They are thus refusing to go home and are not calling off their protests till the demands are met.Modi must not recoil at the farmers’ demands or take it as a personal affront or a challenge to his authority. He should show a conciliatory and consensus-building approach. He must meet the farmers and listen to their apprehensions and draw them to the negotiating table to find a solution.The prime minister will do well to remember what John F. Kennedy said: “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”Captain G.R. Gopinath is an author, politician and entrepreneur who founded Air Deccan.