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In a surprise announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday morning that his government will withdraw the controversial farm laws that prompted yearlong protests from thousands of farmers.

The decision is a major climbdown by the Modi-lead BJP government ahead of key elections in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Applauding the decision was actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha, who took to his Twitter handle to applaud the farmers for their grit and determination through the year-long protest.

In a series of posts, he wrote, “Finally, good sense/wisdom has prevailed on our Hon’ble PM @narendramodi better late than never. The draconian farm laws have been withdrawn, a great victory for our farmers & opposition though it would have been better if done with immediate effect through an ordinance (as the extension’s given to CBI,ED etc for 5yrs) instead of bringing it in Parliament.”

“Nonetheless, the extremely long drawn suffering, pain, devastation, anguish, humiliation of our farmers, 100’s who lost their lives is over with a great win for our farmers with the Govt on this great auspicious day of #Gurpurab. Other issues including MSP etc against our farmers must also be settled soon, sooner the better & all cases against our own farmers must be withdrawn & they should be highly compensated too. Jai Kisan! Jai Hind! Happy Gurpurab,” he added.

Finally, good sense/wisdom has prevailed on our hon’ble PM @narendramodi better late than never. The draconian farm… https://t.co/DWSLTfo6zr

— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) 1637310009000

great auspicious day of #Gurpurab . Other issues including MSP etc against our farmers must also be settled soon, s… https://t.co/WPPuAYked6

— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) 1637310010000

Modi made the announcement during a televised speech that was broadcast live. He urged the protesters to return home and said the constitutional process to repeal the laws will begin in December when Parliament sits for the winter session.

“While apologizing to the nation, I want to say with a sincere and pure heart that maybe something was lacking in our efforts that we could not explain the truth to some of our farmer brothers,” Modi said during the address. He then went on to say: “Let us make a fresh start.”

The laws were passed in September last year and Modi’s party refused to extend the debate despite repeated requests from the opposition.

For a year, the government defended the laws, saying they were necessary reforms to modernize India’s agricultural sector and boost production through private investment. But the farmers protested, saying the legislation would devastate their earnings by ending guaranteed pricing and force them to sell their crops to corporations at cheaper prices.

Dozens of farmers died due to suicide, hostile weather conditions and COVID-19 during the demonstrations that have since drawn international support from rights campaigners and celebrities, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and U.S. singer Rihanna.

The government initially engaged with farmers and offered to suspend the laws for 18 months in an effort to end the most serious challenge to Modi. But the farmers continued to press for a full repeal and called for strikes across the country.

Modi’s decision is seen as a political masterstroke ahead of key state polls, particularly in northern Punjab, where the Sikh community was facing growing alienation because of the laws.