Filled with pain, anger: PM Modi breaks silence on Manipur violence

Narendra Modi on Thursday pledged to invoke law with “all its might” on criminals involved in the parading of women naked in Manipur but his first remarks 78 days after ethnic violence started in the state did not cut much ice with the Opposition I.N.D.I.A, which insisted on a comprehensive statement from the Prime Minister in Parliament.

His remarks came during a customary media address just minutes before the start of Monsoon Session of Parliament, which witnessed a rocky start with I.N.D.I.A MPs insisting on an immediate statement from Modi followed by a discussion on the situation leading to adjournment of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha without any substantial business being taken up.

In his media address where questions were not taken, Modi made a brief remark about the controversial Manipur incident, which when transcribed ran into 200 words, saying his heart is “full of pain and anger” and that the incident was “shameful” for any civilised society. He said the whole 140 crore people are being insulted and feeling ashamed by such acts.

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He mentioned Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh along with BJP-ruled Manipur as he spoke against crime against women and asked Chief Ministers to take steps to strengthen law and order, especially to “protect mothers and sisters”.

While asking states to rise above political debates to prioritise law and order and respect for women, he assured that no criminal will be spared. “The law will take full force with all its might. What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven,” he said.

However, the Opposition was not impressed as Modi “completely sidestepped the issue of ongoing ethnic conflict” while trying to divert attention by “equating the systemic and ongoing violence” with cases of crimes against women in Opposition-ruled states while ignoring such cases in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Prime Minister, the issue is not that it’s a shame for the country. The issue is the immense pain and trauma inflicted on the women of Manipur. Stop the violence immediately."

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said, “After more than 1,800 hours of an incomprehensible and unforgivable silence, the Prime Minister finally spoke on Manipur for a sum total of 30 seconds.”

Ramesh said Modi made no appeal for peace nor asked the Chief Minister 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 said.

On Modi’s reference to Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, he said 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 Chief Minister to claim that arrests have been made,” he added.

Congress Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Pramod Tewari told DH, “Modi-ji made a statement outside Parliament. Now he should step inside and make an elaborate statement. Why is he shying away?”

Opposition leaders have made it clear that Modi’s remarks were not enough and that he should make a detailed statement inside Parliament.