New Delhi: Following an all-party meeting, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh emphasized that the Opposition’s demand for a discussion on the situation in Manipur during the session is “non-negotiable.” He stated, “26 political parties in INDIA demanded the suspension of all business today and a discussion on the Manipur issue. PM Modi should make a statement, and on the basis of his statement, the discussion should be done in both the Houses, but our demand was ignored. We will keep raising this issue.”
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury shared that during the Session’s beginning, as per tradition, PM Modi asks all leaders about their well-being, including Sonia Gandhi. She requested the PM to hold a discussion on Manipur inside the House. PM Modi was taken aback by her question but agreed to consider it. The Session thus began with a demand from Sonia Gandhi, representing the Opposition.
Before the proceedings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media outside the Parliament and expressed his views on the Manipur incident, stating that it “brings shame to humanity.” He further added, “What has happened to daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven, guilty will not be spared.”
MP Jairam Ramesh responded: “After more than 1800 hours of an incomprehensible and unforgivable silence, the Prime Minister finally spoke on Manipur for a sum total of 30 seconds. After which, the PM tried to divert attention from the colossal governance failures and the humanitarian tragedy in Manipur by equating crimes against women in other states, especially those governed by the Opposition while ignoring atrocities on women in states like MP, UP and Gujarat.”
“Firstly, he completely sidestepped the issue of the ongoing ethnic conflict. He has made no appeal for peace, nor asked for the CM of Manipur to step down. While he has commented on this one video that has surfaced, this is only one example of the hundreds of incidents of barbaric violence in the state of Manipur. Secondly, the PM tried to equate systemic and ongoing violence in Manipur with cases of crimes against women in other states. The perpetrators of these crimes have been arrested in Congress-governed states within 24 hours. In Manipur, it took 15 days to register an FIR against unknown persons and today, 64 days later, for the CM of Manipur to claim that arrests have been made. There has been a complete and total collapse of law & order and administration in Manipur.” Jairam added further.
