The Government of the Union respects the Supreme Court and will comply with its decision to suspend the implementation of the three agricultural lawsSaid President Ram Nath Kovind in a joint session of Parliament on Friday, even as he vigorously defended the new laws and claimed that 10 crore of small farmers have benefited from them.
Referring to the violence during the tractor parade and after groups of peasants stormed the Red Fort on January 26, the president said it was “regrettable” that the national flag was disrespected on the occasion of Republic Day.
“My government has always respected freedom of expression and the conduct of peaceful agitations in a democratic framework. However, recent acts of dishonoring the National Flag and showing disrespect for the auspicious occasion of Republic Day are regrettable, ”Kovind said.
“While the Constitution gives us the right to freedom of expression, we are also expected to abide by the laws and rules with the same sincerity,” said the president.
After the consultations
The president affirmed that the agrarian laws were introduced after extensive consultations and different political parties, at different times, thought about making these changes.
He said that these laws do not take away any rights or facilities that are available under the existing system; rather, the laws have “provided new facilities to farmers and empowered them.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet colleagues were seen banging on their desks when the president touched on the benefits of farm laws.
Without naming China, the president also referred to the unprecedented escalation of tensions at the borders, reported on the deployment of additional troops at the borders and paid tribute to the 20 soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in a violent clash with Chinese troops. in Galwan. valley (East Ladakh) last June.
While the president’s speech, prepared by the cabinet to show the achievements of the union government, was extensively devoted to agricultural reforms, more than 20 opposition parties, led by Congress, boycotted the presidential speech.
However, the deputy of the Punjab Congress Ravneet Bittu entered the Central Hall of Parliament and raised the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” during the speech and demanded the repeal of the three laws. Punjab Aam Admi Party (AAP) deputy Bhagwant Singh Mann also caused a brief commotion when trying to enter the Central Hall.
Later, congressional MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, protested in front of the House of Parliament, next to the Mahatma Gandhi statue, over the agricultural laws.
COVID challenge
Mr. Kovid noted that the Budget session was taking place at a challenging COVID-19 time, but expressed confidence that India will not stop, no matter how big the challenge, if the country is united.
“It is a source of immense pride that India is carrying out the largest vaccination program in the world. Both vaccines implemented under this program are produced indigenously, ”he said.
Appreciating the government’s Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan (Self-Reliance Campaign), launched during the pandemic, he said that it was not only limited to manufacturing, but also aimed at raising the standard of living of all Indians and increasing self-confidence. from the country. .
The president expressed his satisfaction with the government’s measures to combat the pandemic, affirming that its timely decisions saved the lives of millions of people and, at the same time, helped the economy to recover. More than 80 million million poor people received free rations for eight months, he said.
Mr. Kovind also paid tribute to those who lost their lives due to COVID-19 and paid tribute to his predecessor Pranab Mukherjee and the six MPs who passed away during the period last year.
Dating Poets
In his speech, President Kovind referred to poetry composed by renowned poets from Assam, Bengal and Kerala, three states linked to the polls. While he began his speech by invoking ‘Assam Kesari’ Ambikagiri Raichaudhuri to call for unity, the president referred to the Malayalam poet Vallathol for his patriotism and ended his speech by invoking Jyotirindranath Tagore, older brother of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, to convey a feeling of shock. forward with self-esteem.
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