July 24, 2023
In the wake of the shocking Manipur viral video, which showed two women being paraded naked, the Monsoon Session of Parliament has been marred by disruptions and heated debates. As the nation demanded answers from the BJP government, opposition parties united to seek accountability and justice for the victims. Amidst the political slugfest, the central figure of contention became Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the gruesome incident.
The video, which surfaced on July 19, sent shockwaves across the nation, leading to widespread protests and calls for swift action against the perpetrators. The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on July 20, with the Prime Minister expressing his “pain and anger” over the incident and urging all states to enact stringent laws to prevent such heinous acts in the future.
However, the sessions were plagued by disruptions as opposition parties accused the BJP of failing to address the issue adequately. Union Minister Anurag Thakur appealed to the opposition, with folded hands, to join the Manipur debate in Parliament without resorting to politicization. However, the Congress swiftly rebuffed the appeal, dismissing it as mere “theatrics” and demanding a more substantial statement from Prime Minister Modi.
“Your theatrics don’t conceal the fact that PM Modi is scared to face Parliament. Let him come and make a statement — followed by a detailed discussion. We will collectively assure Manipur. Is he willing?” tweeted Congress leader Supriya Shrinate, reflecting the frustration and anger of many opposition members.
The demand for Prime Minister Modi’s statement in Parliament has become a focal point of the opposition’s joint protest planned for Monday. The Congress accused the Prime Minister of disregarding the privilege of Parliament by making statements outside its precincts, adding that he had acted against established Parliamentary conventions.
The Manipur issue further intensified when Trinamool MP Derek O’ Brien wrote a letter to Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, alleging that some of his remarks on Manipur were unfairly expunged. O’ Brien defended his actions, stating that he was rightfully questioning the Prime Minister about the law and order situation in Manipur, which he deemed “unparliamentary.”
As the political debate raged on, Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar made a poignant speech at the convocation of Jamia Milia Islamia, stressing the importance of dialogue, discussion, and debate in a democracy while decrying the weaponization of disruption and disturbance in Parliament.
The BJP, in response to the opposition’s demand for accountability, raised questions over Congress’s silence in similar incidents in states like Rajasthan and West Bengal. This move sparked accusations of “whataboutery” and further fueled the political slugfest over the Manipur issue.
With demands for Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s resignation growing louder, Union Minister Anurag Thakur questioned whether Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot would also tender his resignation for cases of atrocities on women in his state. He urged the opposition to refrain from playing politics and focus on addressing crimes against women.
Amidst the outrage over the Manipur horror, the situation took another concerning turn, with reports emerging that the Meitei community people living in neighboring Mizoram have started fleeing the state. The tension and fear generated by the viral video have had ripple effects on neighboring regions, raising alarm bells for authorities.
As Parliament prepares to assemble for another crucial session, all eyes are on the opposition’s joint protest and their demands for Prime Minister Modi’s statement on the Manipur issue. The nation awaits the outcome of this intense political showdown, hoping that justice will be served, and that incidents like the Manipur viral video will never be allowed to repeat.
