Imphal, Aug 01: The ongoing crisis in Manipur has failed a crucial test of parliamentary discussion, as Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected the Opposition’s demand for an extensive debate on the issue.
The suspension of listed business for discussion is allowed only in the “rarest of rare” cases, and Dhankhar defended his decision by claiming that the situation in Manipur did not qualify as such. However, the disappointed Opposition leaders argued that the continuous violence in Manipur should have warranted a discussion under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha.
Rule 267 allows for the suspension of all listed businesses for the day when a motion for discussion is moved and accepted. The Opposition has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur situation and a discussion under Rule 267, but Dhankhar instead agreed on a short-duration discussion under Rule 176.
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This decision raised questions among the Opposition leaders about the Chairman’s justification for not considering the Manipur crisis as a “rarest of rare” case.
Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal, stated that the government was ready for a short-duration discussion on the issue at 2 pm on Monday. He accused the Opposition of evading discussion and causing disruption in the House.
However, the Opposition reiterated its demand for a discussion under Rule 267 and a statement by the Prime Minister, asserting that the situation in Manipur demanded urgent attention.
Dhankhar emphasized that invoking Rule 267 to suspend the business of the House was a rare occurrence and was meant to be used only in exceptional circumstances. The last time Rule 267 was used was in 2016, during the issue of demonetization. The Opposition highlighted that Manipur was burning, and the situation warranted immediate attention and discussion.
Outside the House, the Shiv Sena (Thackeray) questioned the rationale behind not considering the Manipur crisis as a “rarest of rare” case. The Supreme Court has taken a strong view of the situation in Manipur, where numerous cases have been filed, and thousands of people are living in camps.
The Opposition likened the Prime Minister’s silence to that of Dhritharashtra in the Mahabharata when Draupadi was being disrobed, implying that the government’s inaction was deeply troubling.
The Opposition leaders argued that invoking Rule 267 was essential to highlight the seriousness of the issue and suspend all other House business until the debate was over. They accused the Prime Minister of running away from giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha and demanded a full-fledged discussion under the emergency rule called 267.
The Manipur crisis remains a pressing concern that demands urgent attention and discussion in the Parliament. The Opposition’s call for invoking Rule 267 underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for comprehensive deliberation on the issue. As the Parliament continues its sessions, it is crucial for all parties to come together and engage in constructive dialogue to address the crisis in Manipur and find meaningful solutions for the welfare of its people. Only through effective discussion and collective efforts can the nation overcome this challenging situation and ensure a better future for Manipur and its citizens.
