Imphal, July 24: The Lok Sabha witnessed heated debates and uproar on Monday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his willingness to engage in a discussion regarding the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur.
However, the Opposition parties continued to protest, demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter. The relentless sloganeering and disruptions eventually led to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourning the proceedings for the day.
“I am ready for a discussion on this in the House. I request the Opposition to let a discussion take place on this issue. It is important that the country gets to know the truth on this sensitive matter,” Shah asserted during the Parliament’s Monsoon session.
Despite the Home Minister’s offer, the Opposition remained firm in their demand for a comprehensive statement from Prime Minister Modi before initiating any discussion on the issue.
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The Monsoon session commenced on Thursday, and on that day, PM Modi publicly addressed the violence for the first time during a pre-session address in the Parliament complex. He strongly condemned the incident in which two Manipuri women were paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob.
“The incident of Manipur is shameful for any civilization. The country is shamed. I appeal to all chief ministers to strengthen laws to take stringent action against crime, especially against women. The incident might be from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, or Manipur; the culprit should not go roam-free anywhere,” PM Modi asserted.
However, the Opposition insisted on a more detailed statement from PM Modi, indicating their intention to discuss that. The central government, while agreeing to discuss in the Parliament, considered the demand for a statement from Modi as a “caveat for disruption.”
The incident that triggered the nationwide outrage occurred a day after clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3. The horrific video of the incident went viral on social media platforms, intensifying public anger and calls for action.
In response to the ongoing uproar, several Members of Parliament from the newly formed Opposition alliance, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), including AAP’s Sanjay Singh and Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi, were seen holding banners with “INDIA demands PM statement in both houses” written on them. They also raised slogans against the Prime Minister.
The incident in question led to the filing of a case of abduction, gang rape, and murder at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Manipur against unidentified persons in June. Since Thursday, some arrests have been made in connection with the case.
The ethnic clashes in Manipur erupted during a rally organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) on May 3. The rally was in protest by Kukis against the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.
The situation in Manipur remains tense, and the demand for accountability and justice has only grown louder. As the Parliament’s Monsoon session continues, it remains to be seen how the discussions on the issue will unfold and what actions will be taken to address the crisis and prevent further violence. The focus must be on seeking truth and promoting peace, unity, and respect for all communities involved.
