‘Impose President’s Rule in Manipur, CM should resign’: Mallikarjun Kharge amid outrage over sexual violence video

Mallikarjun Kharge demanded an elaborate statement from PM Modi in the Rajya Sabha on the situation in Manipur.

New Delhi | July 20, 2023 06:21 PM IST

3 min read

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the House on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (PTI photo)

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With the Manipur sexual violence incident dominating the proceedings on the opening day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, Congress chief and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday demanded President’s Rule in the BJP-ruled Manipur, which has been roiled by ethnic conflict since early May.

Floor leaders of various Opposition parties met at Kharge’s chamber, following which a united Opposition demanded a suo motu statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both Houses of Parliament.

“Manipur is burning. Women are being raped, paraded naked. But the Prime minister is keeping quiet. He is giving a statement outside. We want a detailed discussion on Manipur and PM Modi should make an elaborate statement on the same in the House,” Kharge stated in the Rajya Sabha.

“We also demand immediate resignation of Manipur Chief Minister and an imposition of President’s Rule,” the Congress chief said.

Kharge and several other members of the Opposition have given notices in both Houses of Parliament, seeking a discussion on the situation in Manipur suspending all other business.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told the Lok Sabha said: “We have made it clear that we are ready for discussion on Manipur in both Houses. Manipur is a sensitive issue. Home Minister will reply to the discussion in detail. Let the Speaker decide the date of discussion.”

Both Houses were dismissed for the day after ruckus over the demand for discussion on Manipur.

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Earlier in the day, PM Modi made remarks condemning the violent incident in Manipur, saying that his heart is full of pain and anger over the “shameful” incident.

“Today, when I have come among you and am standing near this temple of democracy, then my heart is full of pain, full of anger. The incident that has come to the fore in Manipur is a shameful incident for any civilized society,” the PM said outside Parliament, ahead of the start of the Monsoon Session.

A video of two women from the Kuki-Zomi community being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob of men in Manipur had surfaced online on Wednesday. A senior police official confirmed that the incident had occurred on May 4 in Thoubal district. One person has been arrested so far.

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