National flag and holy day like Republic Day were insulted: President condemns R-Day tractor rally violence

29-01-2021

President Ram Nath Kovind, on Friday, criticised the farmer organisations for the ruckus witnessed during the Republic Day rally and said that the 'national flag and a holy day like Republic Day were insulted in the past few days'. Addressing a joint session of the Parliament ahead of the Budget Session, Kovind said that the constitution that gives 'us the freedom to protest', also 'teaches us that law & rules have to be followed seriously'. "The national flag and a holy day like Republic Day were insulted in the past few days. The Constitution that provides us Freedom of Expression, is the same Constitution that teaches us that law & rules have to be followed seriously: President Ram Nath Kovind, in Parliament," Kovind said. The President also elaborated upon the initiatives of his government for the welfare of the farmers and said that Rs 1.13 lakh crore were transferred to beneficiaries under the Kisan Samman Nidhi.

President Kovind bats for farm laws
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Kovind also justified the farm laws and said that they were meant for the benefit of the farmers. "The rights and facilities that were available before the formation of the three farm laws have not been cut short, in fact with these new agricultural reforms the government has provided new facilities and rights to farmers," he said. "Small and marginal farmers are also a priority for my government. To support such farmers in their small expenses, around Rs 1,13,000 crores have been transferred directly to their accounts, under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi," Kovind said during his address. The Opposition parties boycotted the President's speech to register protest against the farm laws. In a last-minute effort, the government attempted to reach out to the opposition and urged them to 'reconsider' their decision to boycott the address. Violence and clashes were witnessed on Tuesday, January 26, when certain farmer groups hoisted a flag atop historic Red Fort.