President Kovind condemns R-Day violence, defends agriculture laws

NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday strongly defended the three farm laws that have sparked intense protests from a section of farmers, and condemned as “’very unfortunate” the Republic Day violence and the “insult” to the Tricolour during the farmers’ tractor parade in the Capital on January 26.

In his customary address to the joint sitting of Parliament that marks the start of the Budget session, Kovind also referred to the Chinese aggression on the border, and asserted that his government is vigilant and fully committed to protecting the country’s interests.

Noting that the Supreme Court has put the implementation of the three laws on hold, Kovind said the government will respect whatever is the decision of the apex court.

The President’s hour-long address was boycotted by over 20 opposition parties in support of the demand of the protesting farmers for the repeal of the farm laws. Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu raised slogans like “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” during the address and demanded repeal of the three laws. Some opposition MPs were heard raising slogans in the Central Hall’s gallery.

THE EDITOR’S GUILD SAID THE FIRS MUST BE WITHDRAWN AND THE MEDIA BE ALLOWED TO REPORT WITH FREEDOM

NEW DELHI: Media bodies on Friday strongly condemned the filing of FIRs against senior editors and journalists for their reporting on the farmers’ tractor rally and the ensuing violence here on Republic Day, saying it was an attempt to “browbeat” and “intimidate” the media.

In a statement, the Editors Guild of India demanded that such FIRs be withdrawn immediately and the media be allowed to report without fear and with freedom.

It said journalists have been specifically targeted for reporting the accounts pertaining to the death of one of the protestors on their personal social media handles as well as those of the publications they lead and represent.

“It must be noted that on the day of the protest and high action, several reports were emerging from eyewitnesses on the ground as well as from police, and therefore it was only natural for journalists to report all the details as they emerged. This is in line with established norms of journalistic practice,” the Guild said.

The Editors Guild said it “strongly condemns the intimidating manner in the way in which the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Police” have registered FIRs against senior editors and journalist for reporting on the farmers’ protest rallies and the ensuing violence that took place in the national capital on January 26.

“On a day thick with information, the EGI finds these FIRs, filed in different states, as an attempt to intimidate, harass, browbeat, and stifle the media,” the Guild said.