Abrogation of Article 370 will pave way for development: President
New Delhi: The Budget Session of the Parliament began on Friday with an address from President Ram Nath Kovind. Addressing both the Houses in a joint session, President Kovind said that the government got the mandate to create new India.
President Kovind said that the constitution expects the Parliament to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the countrymen and make necessary laws for them, keeping national interest paramount.
“My government is clearly of the view that mutual discussions and debates further strengthen democracy. At the same time, any kind of violence in the name of protest weakens the society and the country,” President Kovind said.
Speaking about the government’s decision to revoke Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation the state into two union territories, President Kovind said that the it will pave the way for equal development in the region.
“The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution through two-thirds majority by both the Houses of Parliament is not only historic but it has also paved the way for equal development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” President Kovind said.
President Kovind terms CAA ‘historic’, oppn members protest
Talking about the recent protests against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, President Kovind said that violence during protests weaken democracy. The Opposition, however, eruted after the President lauded the controversial Citizenship Act. Some members of the Opposition also shouted “shame, shame” slogans and displayed banners.
“My government is clearly of the view that mutual discussions and debates further strengthen democracy. At the same time, any kind of violence in the name of protest weakens the society and the country,” the President said.
“I am happy that the wish of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi has been fulfilled through the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act by both the Houses of Parliament,” he added.
He also made a scathing attack at Pakistan for athrocities against minorities, urging the international communities to take necessary actions.
Ayodhya verdict, Kartarpur corridor opening ‘historic’
He also hailed the Supreme Court’s historic Ayodhya verdict, saying that people behaved in a ‘mature way’ after the apex court’s decision. “The mature way in which the countrymen behaved after the Supreme Court’s decision on Ramjanmabhoomi is also praiseworthy,” President Kovid said.
He also lauded the government for building the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and dedicating it to the nation on the occasion of 550th Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
He further said that India is the first country where entire Hajj process was done digitally.
CDS will bring ‘synergy’ between forces
Speaking about the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) position, President Kovind said that it will bring up synergy between the three branches of the security forces. He further hailed the government for tackling terrorism in India and giving the security forces free hand to deal with terrorism.
President Kovind hails legalisation of 1,700 unauthorised Delhi colonies
President Kovind also hailed the government for granting ownership to 40 lakh people residing in 1,731 unauthorised colonies in Delhi saying it has fulfilled their dreams of living a dignified life.
“More than 40 lakh people living in the country’s capital, Delhi, had been living for years hoping that one day they would get the right to own their homes and live a dignified life,” he said.