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Journalism of Courage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement Thursday condemning the incident involving two women in Manipur, who were caught on video being paraded naked by a mob, also drew flak from the Opposition, which questioned his “silence” on the crisis in the state and his “sidestepping” of the “ethnic conflict” in Manipur.
The Congress general secretary for communications, Jairam Ramesh, said in a tweet: “After more than 1800 hours of an incomprehensible and unforgivable silence, the Prime Minister finally spoke on Manipur for a sum total of 30 seconds. After which, the PM tried to divert attention from the colossal governance failures and the humanitarian tragedy in Manipur by equating crimes against women in other states, especially those governed by the Opposition, while ignoring atrocities on women in states like MP, UP and Gujarat.”
Ramesh said the PM had “completely sidestepped the issue of the ongoing ethnic conflict”.
“He has made no appeal for peace, nor asked for the CM of Manipur to step down. While he has commented on this one video that has surfaced, this is only one example of the hundreds of incidents of barbaric violence in the state of Manipur.”
He added: “The PM tried to equate systemic and ongoing violence in Manipur with cases of crimes against women in other states. The perpetrators of these crimes have been arrested in Congress-governed states within 24 hours. In Manipur, it took 15 days to register an FIR against unknown persons and today, 64 days later, for the CM of Manipur to claim that arrests have been made. There has been a complete and total collapse of law & order and administration in Manipur.”
He said the move came too late and was too little, and demanded the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah step down.
Ramesh also said the Opposition partnership, INDIA, demanded the PM should “make a statement on the horrific and tragic developments in Manipur since May 3, 2023 in both Houses of the Parliament, after which there should be a discussion. This is the first order of business.”
Pawan Khera, the media and publicity chairperson of the Congress, said: “The person calling himself Vishwaguru spoke on Manipur only for 36 seconds, when the SC itself took cognizance. Prime Minister, I am sorry but your heart does not beat for the country.”
Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also emphasised on the timing of the PM’s statement.
“Today, before the commencement of the Parliament session, PM Modi gave an address of 8 minutes 25 seconds. In this address, PM Modi spoke only for 36 seconds on Manipur, then started doing politics on Rajasthan-Chhattisgarh. Modi ji, you should apologize and it is unfortunate that you are the prime minister of this country,” she said.
Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, “The PM @PMOIndia at last spoke on Manipur after 2 Months of continuing Genocide of Kuki tribes, question that the Govt must answer — but for the horrible video will Modi have reacted? Will BJP CM of Manipur give justice to the 160 killed,many women who have been raped, fifty thousand who have been displaced.”
CPI(M) politburo member Subhashini Ali reacted to Modi’s statement that the incident had put 140 crore Indians to shame.
She tweeted, “140 crore ok but what about you? Are you ashamed? You were running around, preening, posing, so full of yourself… Dont you remember this happened on the 5th of May?”
Earlier in the day, the SC expressed “deep concern” over the video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur and asked the State and Central governments to apprise it of the action taken to bring the perpetrators to book.
A bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud conveyed its concerns to Attorney General R Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and said it will give the government some time to act and will step in if nothing is happening on the ground.
Some time later, Modi, in his first statement on the violence in Manipur which began in May, said his heart is full of pain and anger over the “shameful” incident of women paraded naked in Manipur.
“I assure the countrymen that no culprit will be spared. The law with all its might will take one step after another,” Modi said, addressing the media ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
Meanwhile, a senior government official told The Indian Express that the Centre has asked Twitter and other social media platforms to take down the viral video.
‘What kind of govt are you running?’: Congress on Manipur incident
“Modi Govt and the BJP has changed democracy and the rule of law into mobocracy by destroying the delicate social fabric of the state… Narendra Modi ji, India will never forgive your silence. You have abdicated your Constitutional responsibility,” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote in a tweet, stating that humanity has died in Manipur.
At a press conference held at the AICC headquarters early on Thursday morning, Congress leaders Netta D’Souza and Ranjeet Ranjan said, “What kind of government are you running? Where is our Home Minister? Where is our PM?”
Soon after the incident was reported on Wednesday evening, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said that the PM’s silence and inaction has led Manipur into anarchy. “INDIA will not stay silent while the idea of India is being attacked in Manipur. We stand with the people of Manipur. Peace is the only way forward,” he tweeted.
AAP, TMC, NCP, DMK react
“Manipur BJP CM N Biren Singh claims he found out about the sexual assault on 2 Kuki-Zo women “just now”. Manipur Police says FIR was filed when the incident happened 2.5 months ago on 4th May. Do DGP Manipur & CM not communicate with each other on serious law & order issues?” TMC MP Saket Gokhale said on Twitter.
“The incident in Manipur is very shameful and condemnable. This kind of heinous act cannot be tolerated in the Indian society. The situation in Manipur is becoming very worrying. I appeal to the Prime Minister to pay attention to the situation in Manipur,” Delhi CM and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin tweeted, “Absolutely heartbroken and appalled by the agonising violence unleashed on women in Manipur. Where is our collective conscience? The hate and venom are uprooting the very soul of humanity. We must stand united against such atrocities and work towards fostering a society of empathy and respect.”
Further, NCP president Sharad Pawar demanded that the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Home Ministry immediately take necessary steps to restore peace in Manipur. Quoting Dr BR Ambedkar, Pawar in a tweet said, “Without humanity, your glory is worthless.” Distressing to see disturbing visuals from Manipur specially the atrocities against women, which is “despicable”, he said.
Reacting to the incident, R Lorho S Pfoze, an MP of BJP ally NPF, speaking to PTI, said the state machinery has failed and asked Chief Minister N Biren Singh take responsibility for the unrest in the state and step down or be sacked from the CM post.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also condemned the incident and tweeted: “Extremely disturbed by the recent incident in Manipur. Stripping any human of their dignity is the most demeaning and inhumane act. I strongly condemn such actions. Guilty should be given the harshest punishment.”
Several leaders cutting across party lines in Punjab condemned the incident
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, in a tweet said, “Manipur incident is very shameful and no words can suffice to condemn it….Such incident cannot be tolerated in our society…I appeal to the Prime Minister that strict and exemplary action should be taken against the perpetrators of this heinous act.”
Former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Navjot Sidhu reacted: “If your blood doesn’t boil seeing the barbaric crime of women molestation in Manipur – then you are a coward, only a fascist regime can ignore such a crime to perpetrate fear…National Shame!” He also reacted to the The Indian Express report where one of the victims told that they had been “left to the mob by the police”.
