New Delhi: Hailing the new Citizenship law as “historic” and a fulfilment of Mahatma Gandhi’s wish, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday deprecated any kind of violence in the name of protests, saying it weakened the society and the nation, remarks that came amid protests against the contentious law.
The President’s glowing reference to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in his address to a joint sitting of Parliament drew protests from opposition members, many of whom wore black bands, with some shouting “shame shame” while BJP MPs thumped benches in support.
The issue of atrocities against minorities in Pakistan was also brought up by the President.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the party’s leader in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad sat in the back rows in the Central Hall of Parliament instead of the front seats allotted to them to mark their protest against the law.
Delivering his 70-minute address in Hindi which marks the start of the Parliament’s Budget session, Kovind pointed out that mutual discussions and debates strengthen democracy.
He also called for making this decade “India’s decade” and this century “India’s century”. “At the same time, any kind of violence in the name of protests weakens the society and the nation.” he said without directly referring to the anti-CAA protests in the country some of which have witnessed violence.
He said Mahatma Gandhi had said that Hindus and Sikhs of Pakistan, who do not wish to live there, can come to India and it is the duty of the Indian government to ensure a normal life for them. “It is our responsibility to honour this wish of the founding fathers of our nation.” Kovind said.
Referring to atrocities on minorities in Pakistan, the President said, “We have all seen what happened in Nankana Sahib recently. It is the responsibility of all of us to bring the atrocities being committed in Pakistan to the notice of the global community.”
On economic issues, Kovind exhorted people to use locally manufactured products for a “better tomorrow”, as he reiterated the government’s commitment to make India a USD 5 trillion economy. The President also said that fundamentals of the Indian economy were strong and the foreign exchange reserves were at a record high.
Touching upon the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya judgment, he said the faith reposed by the people of India in democratic institutions strengthens the foundation of our democracy.
Kovind also said there is happiness among people of India that people in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have got rights on par with the rest of the country.
“Today, after seven decades, the whole country is happy that the dream of crores of freedom fighters including Dr Mukherjee has come true and the people of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh have also got the same rights as the people in the rest of the country. “The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution is not only historic but has also paved the way for equitable development of Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh.”
Kovind said Parliament has created a record in the first seven months of the new government headed by Narendra Modi by enacting several landmark legislations. The President said the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff and the Department of Military Affairs will bring synergy among three services of the armed forces and speed up their modernisation.
Kovind also said the government was working for security of women and will set up over 1,000 fast track courts to dispose of cases of crime against women. (PTI)
