Amidst Protests, Amit Shah Says Opposition Avoiding Discussion on Manipur

Amidst protests from the Opposition regarding a distressing video of two Manipur women being paraded naked by a mob, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his willingness to engage in a discussion and questioned why the Opposition is not cooperating.

Since the monsoon session of Parliament commenced with a tumultuous start, due to the shocking video from the northeastern state, the Opposition has been demanding a discussion.

The central government has consistently stated its readiness to address the matter. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated in Lok Sabha that the government is prepared to engage in a conversation about this sensitive issue.

During a brief address in Lok Sabha, Amit Shah appealed to Opposition leaders to permit a debate on the matter. He emphasised the importance of uncovering the truth behind the Manipur issue.

Following multiple adjournments of the House due to the Manipur situation, the Home Minister made these remarks.

When the House reconvened at 2:30pm, Shah acknowledged that MPs from both sides of the political spectrum desired a discussion on the issue.

However, the Opposition MPs continued their protest, leading Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the proceedings for the day.

Several Opposition MPs moved adjournment notices to discuss the ongoing ethnic violence in the northeastern state. Over 100 lives have been lost in the past few months. The government agreed to address the matter, but chaos ensued due to a technicality.

The Opposition MPs insisted on discussing the issue under Rule 267, which would suspend all other business in the House. In the Rajya Sabha, 27 MPs submitted notices for a discussion under this rule.

However, the government was only willing to engage in a short duration discussion under Rule 176.

In response to the Opposition's allegations of sexual assault in Manipur, the ruling BJP countered by stating that the issue of atrocities against women should be discussed across all states, including those governed by the Opposition such as Rajasthan and West Bengal.