President Ram Nath Kovind defends new farm laws, condemns R-Day violence

Some opposition MPs were heard raising slogans in the Central Hall's gallery.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday strongly defended the three new agri laws, saying their benefits had begun reaching 100 million small farmers instantly, and condemned as “very unfortunate” the Republic Day violence and “dishonour” to the tricolour during the tractor parade by the protesting farm unions here.
 
In his customary address to the joint sitting of Parliament that marks the start of the Budget session, Kovind, without naming China, also slammed the country for its efforts to disrupt peace at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in “utter disregard” of bilateral relations and agreements.
 
Hailing the security