New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind strongly defended Thursday the three contentious farm laws that have sparked intense protests from a section of farmers. He condemned as ‘very unfortunate’ the Republic Day violence and the ‘insult’ to the Tricolour during the farmers’ tractor parade here January 26. At the same time President Kovind said that the government will follow the directives of the Supreme Court regarding the farm laws.
In his customary address to the joint sitting of Parliament that marks the start of the Budget Session Kovind also referred to the Chinese aggression on the border. He asserted that his government is vigilant and fully committed to protecting India’s interests.
Additional forces have been deployed to safeguard India’s sovereignty, he said. He also paid tributes to the 20 soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in a clash with the Chinese army at the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh in June last year. India and China are locked in a tense military standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5 last.
Kovind also noted that the new farm reform laws enacted in September last year have immediately benefited 10 crore small farmers. He said various parties in the past had supported these measures. He, however, criticising the violence which marred the farmers’ protest on the Republic Day. He pointed out if the Constitution gives us the right to freedom of expression, it also teaches us to take laws and rules seriously.
The President’s hour-long address was boycotted by over 20 opposition parties in support of the demand of the protesting farmers. The farmers have demanded the repeal of the three farm laws.
Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu raised slogans like ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ during the address. He demanded repeal of the three farm laws. Some opposition MPs were heard raising slogans in the Central Hall’s gallery.
“My Government has always respected freedom of expression and holding of peaceful agitations in a democratic set up. However, the recent acts of dishonouring the National Flag and showing disrespect to the auspicious occasion of the Republic Day are unfortunate,” Kovind said.
The President also said the rights and facilities available under the system prevailing before the enactment of the three new laws are not affected in any way. “Rather, through these agricultural reforms, the Government has provided new facilities to the farmers and has empowered them,” asserted Kovind.
Kovind acknowledged that the Budget Session is being held at a challenging time of COVID-19. The president however, said no matter how big the challenge is, India will not stop. Whenever India is united, it has achieved impossible goals, he informed.
President Kovind also expressed sadness that in the fight against the pandemic, India has lost many countrymen. He paid homage to his predecessor Pranab Mukherjee and six MPs who passed away during the period last year.
Kovind expressed his satisfaction over the government’s measures to fight the pandemic. He asserted that its timely decisions saved lives of millions of people while also helping the economy. Over 80 crore poor people were provided free ration for eight months, he informed.
In his speech, the President highlighted the views of the government approved by the Union Cabinet.
The president lauded the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ programme. He said it is not just confined to manufacturing in India. It is also a campaign aimed at elevating the standard of living of every Indian as well as boosting the self-confidence of the country.
Kovind also referred to India’s vaccination programme. “It is a matter of immense pride that India is conducting the world’s largest vaccination programme. Both the vaccines rolled out under this programme are produced indigenously,” Kovind pointed out.