A day after a video showing two women from the Kuki-Zomi community being paraded naked by a mob of men began doing the rounds on social media, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday broke his silence on Manipur violence. He said his heart is full of pain and anger over the “shameful” incident, and what has happened to these daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven and no culprit will be spared. In his first remarks over Manipur violence that erupted on May 3, Modi said, “aaj jab main aap ke beech aaya hoon is lokatantra ke mandir ke paas khada hoon tab mera hday peedha se bhara hua hai, krodh se bhara hua hai manipur kee jo ghatana saamane aaee hai kisee bhee sabhy samaaj ke lie ye sharmasaar karane vaalee ghatana hai. (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.)” Speaking at the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2023 The whole country has been insulted, and 140 crore countrymen are feeling ashamed, Modi said, in his remarks at the start of Monsoon Session 2023 of Parliament. Modi urged all chief ministers to further strengthen law and order in their states and take strictest steps to protect women. “I urge all the chief ministers to further strengthen the law and order situation in their states, especially to take strictest steps to protect our mothers and sisters,” he said. During his brief remarks, Modi also mentioned incidents of crime against women in the Congress-ruled states like Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Be it Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Manipur or any part of the country, maintaining law and order and respecting women should be put above any political debate, the PM said. “I want to assure the countrymen that no criminal will be spared. The law will take full force, one step after another, with all its might. What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven,” Modi said. Modi’s remarks came minutes before the start of the Monsoon session of Parliament, in which several opposition members had given notices seeking adjournment of the proceedings of the both Houses to discuss the Manipur violence issue. The opposition has criticised the Prime Minister’s silence over violence in Manipur. Prime Minister’s remarks came almost at the same time when the Supreme Court made an observation about the Manipur incident of two women paraded naked. The Supreme Court said it was “deeply disturbed” by the video which emerged from Manipur. This is simply unacceptable to the court, it said, asking the government to take action. “Will give some time to act, or else we will step in,” the court said. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram asked what prompted the Prime Minister to speak on the Manipur issue. “Hon'ble PM has broken his silence on Manipur…He did not spare a thought for the people of Manipur when he was traveling to the US, France, UAE and to various states in India to inaugurate something or other,” Chidambaram said in a tweet. Hon'ble PM has broken his silence on Manipur He did not spare a thought for the people of Manipur when he was traveling to the US, France, UAE and to various states in India to inaugurate something or other I wonder what prompted him to remember Manipur? Was it the horrific… — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) July 20, 2023 “I wonder what prompted him to remember Manipur? Was it the horrific video of the unspeakable crime against the women of Manipur? Was it the Supreme Court taking cognizance of the massive violation of human rights in Manipur,” Chidambaram asked. “The first thing that the Hon'ble PM should do is to dismiss the discredited government of Biren Singh and impose President's Rule,” Chidambaram said. Soon after the Prime Minister’s remarks, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the Manipur Police had made the first arrest in the incident. “My hearts go out to the two women who were subjected to a deeply disrespectful and inhumane act, as shown in the distressing video that surfaced yesterday,” Singh said in a tweet. “After taking a Suo-moto cognisance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this morning," the CM added. “A thorough investigation is currently underway and we will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment. Let it be known, there is absolutely no place for such heinous acts in our society,” he tweeted. Tapir Gao, BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh told the Indian Express, “Now that the Prime Minister has spoken and condemned it, there will be strong action. We have agreed for a discussion in Parliament also."
