Manipur: SC steps in, PM breaks silence, Opp wants his statement in Parliament

The national outrage over a video of two women being paraded naked and sexually assaultedin Manipur washed out proceedings in Parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session Thursday as the Opposition targeted the government and the Supreme Court warned that it would step in if the government did not act.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, breaking his silence on the ethnic violencein the state, expressed “sorrow and anger” over the incident captured on video and said it had shamed the nation.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament House before the start of the session, the Prime Minister said, “Today, as I stand among you in the temple of democracy, my heart is filled with sorrow and anger over the incident in Manipur. This incident is a shameful act for any civilised society. The perpetrators of this sin, the wrongdoers, whoever they are, the entire nation is feeling ashamed. 140 crore citizens are feeling embarrassed.”

“I appeal to all Chief Ministers to strengthen law and order in their states, especially taking stringent steps to ensure the safety and protection of our mothers and sisters. Whether the incident happens in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, in any corner of India, in any state… rising above political disputes and maintaining the significance of the rule of law and the respect for women is crucial,” Modi said.

Read | Woman stripped and raped in Manipur speaks: Police were with the mob, they left us with those men

“I want to assure the citizens of this country that no wrongdoer will be spared. Every step will be taken to enforce law forcefully, with all its might. What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came minutes before the start of proceedings in both Houses where several Opposition members had given notice, seeking adjournment of proceedings to discuss the situation in Manipur.

While the government said it was ready to discuss the Manipur issue under the rules, it said the Opposition appeared to have “made up their mind to not let Parliament function”.

AdvertisementRead | On Manipur video of women paraded naked, Supreme Court says will take action if govt does not

The Opposition, on the other hand, blamed the treasury benches for not allowing a discussion, which they wanted to start with a statement from the Prime Minister.

In Lok Sabha, before the start of proceedings, Sonia Gandhi, according to the Congress, asked the Prime Minister to hold a discussion on the Manipur situation when he walked up to her to exchange pleasantries and inquire about her health.

In Rajya Sabha, the government and the Opposition differed over the format of the discussion, resulting in adjournment of the House.

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Union Minister and Leader of the House Piyush Goyal got up and said “on behalf of the government, we are ready for a discussion on Manipur and there is absolutely no problem in accepting this notice.”

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said “since the Leader of the House has volunteered that the government is keen for a discussion on Manipur… I find the notices in order.” He said under the mandate of the rule for a short duration discussion, he has to consult the Leader of the House to fix a time and date for the discussion.

Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asked “how (can) a Leader of the House suddenly get up and say we are ready because the agenda is not read fully… You have to suspend all other business and take up this… not half an hour (discussion).”

In his notice, Kharge said the Centre and the state government failed to control the “raging violence and to restore peace and normalcy in the state of Manipur” resulting in killing of 142 people and displacement of over 54,000 people.

His notice, made public by the Congress, sought a discussion on the “Prime Minister’s shocking and unprecedented dereliction of duty and abandonment of the state of Manipur for over nearly 80 days now… The Home Minister’s absolute failure in resolving the issue at hand and establishing and facilitating peace process and efforts in the state despite his visit to the state… and the complete failure and criminal negligence of the Chief Minister of Manipur and its state government.”

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When Goyal said the government was ready for a discussion, Jairam Ramesh of the Congress demanded the presence of the Prime Minister in the House.

“Let the Prime Minister give a statement… We will discuss,” Kharge said.

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In Lok Sabha too, the Opposition protested, saying “Let PM come to the House”.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi warned the Opposition that the nation was watching them disrupt proceedings even after the government had made it clear that there could be a discussion on Manipur following which Union Home Minister Amit Shah would make a statement on the situation.

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“There are important Bills to be passed, important issues to be discussed,” Joshi said, just before Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day in the afternoon.

– With Divya A

© The Indian Express (P) Ltd

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