There are always two sides of a coin. Farm reforms too have conservative and progressive aspects. Farmers’ reaction through agitation shows they are more interested in assured purchase at assured price rather than high price through free trading outside regulated markets. The government is pressing upon the point that the Acts would bring about broadbased farming strategies through contract farming and abolition of unjust cess and brokerage. But what needs to bridge the gap is good faith between the two sides. No law can survive long if it is unpopular and adverse to public interest at large.

Rakesh Sudan, Kurukshetra

Warning to BJP

The BJP, by design or default, has become synonymous with election strategy and planning. At the outset in 2014, its campaign slogan of development was so earnest to follow it through, with the PM at the vanguard, demonetisation and then the GST rollout. Assuaged, it pursued the Hindutva agenda and took the lead for the genesis of the CAA, centred on ‘alien’ theme. Self-assured in its campaign for the Hyderabad municipal elections of 2020, it confidently landed back on its majoritarian track, given the regional inequation reference to the strength of minority voters in the city. This too has paid dividends. But then, the MLC elections in Maharashtra have in many ways underscored its shortcomings in managing the national economy, regional leadership and consultative politics. The loss of the two MLC seats in Varanasi must also be as discomfiting. Should the farmers’ crisis turn out adversely, the lesson in political hubris could prove bitter.

R Narayanan, Navi Mumbai

Find a solution

Apropos of ‘Need a solution’, farmers are up against the Centre which did not take the annadatas into confidence before passing the controversial Bills in a hush-hush manner. The farmers feed us cheaply and plentifully. They ought to be treated with respect and heard patiently. Their agitation is getting overwhelming support from all sections of society. The prolonged agitation does not augur well for the country. The Centre must remove the lacuna in the Acts which go against the interests of the farmers. The meetings between the two have yielded no results so far. The government must end the impasse and redress their genuine grievances. Mere lip service expressing sympathy for farmers will not suffice.

Tarsem S Bumrah, Batala

Peaceful agitation

Hats off to the protesting farmers who are observing a peaceful agitation. Neither have they created any ruckus anywhere nor have they destroyed any government machinery or building. Their dogged determination in favour of genuine demands deserves appreciation. The government’s steadfast attitude is working as a catalyst in fuelling the agitation. The government should be flexible and avoid lingering on by fixing meetings. Farmer unions are well aware of its tactics and cannot be fooled.

Rajkumar Kapoor, by mail

Not Biden’s priority

Apropos of ‘India low on Biden’s watch list’, the Trump-Biden standoff needs to end soon, as it has implications across the world on security and strategic matters. India has been trying to prepare a wish list for Biden, but it might not hold much. Moreover, Kamala Harris will follow an American story rather than an Indian one. Her statements on Muslims, immigration and Kashmir illustrate that South Block is unnecessarily being enthusiastic. With Biden taking over, India will need to work overtime to get Washington’s attention, as Biden’s priorities are European and South Asian allies. India is on the low side, and his soft approach towards China can be seen on the horizon, as economic trade with the Asian giant affects Americans directly, more than the security issues. India needs to tread carefully with Biden making structural changes in the US foreign policy.

Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur

Revive spirit of Parliament

The posture of representing 130 crore Indians and the unrelenting acrimony towards the Congress and the rest of the Opposition parties cannot go on forever. If the government gives respect to voices other than its own, a lot of wastage of human energy and time could have been saved. The same is true of the CAA, NRC and the farm laws. The lack of a deliberative Parliament, and getting boxed into unenviable straits only corrode the foundations of democracy. Hubris cannot evade nemesis for long. The sooner this realisation rings in, the better it shall be for both the people and the government.

Lalit Mohan Sharma, Dharamsala

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