Congress President Mallikarjun demanded an elaborate statement from PM Modi in Parliament over Manipur violence.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge (ANI)
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the violence on women in Manipur amid national outrage over the video of two Kuki women being paraded naked, Congress President Mallikarjun on Thursday demanded an elaborate statement from him in the Parliament.
“Manipur is burning, women are raped, naked, paraded, and horrific violence is taking place. But the PM kept quiet for so long until today…he only gave a statement outside the Parliament,” Kharge said while addressing the Rajya Sabha.
Kharge also demanded the immediate resignation of Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, and an imposition of President's Rule in the northeastern state.
The Opposition party also urged President Droupadi Murmu to impose President's rule in the state.
Follow all the live updates on Manipur women viral video here
Kharge said that "humanity has died in Manipur" and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak about the ethnic violence-hit state in Parliament and tell the nation what happened.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament starts on Thursday.
In a tweet, Kharge said, "Modi government and the BJP have changed democracy and the rule of law into Mobocracy by destroying the delicate social fabric of the state.
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"Narendra Modi ji, India will never forgive your silence. If there is any conscience or an iota of shame left in your government, then you should speak about Manipur in the Parliament and tell the nation what happened without blaming others for your dual incompetence -- both at the Centre and the state," he tweeted.
The Congress chief accused PM Modi of having "abdicated" his constitutional responsibility and said, "In this hour of crisis, we stand together with the people of Manipur."
Later speaking with reporters, Kharge said many opposition leaders have given adjournment notices to discuss the Manipur issue. He slammed the prime minister, alleging he has time to go on foreign tours but has no time for Manipur.
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"The PM has all the means at his disposal, including helicopter, but has not gone to Manipur... while Rahul Gandhi, who has no such means, went there to listen to people. You have all the facilities of the government but still, why are you not going there (Manipur)?" the Congress chief told reporters.
Slamming the government, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said it has been 78 days since a full-scale ethnic violence broke out in Manipur and 77 days since the ghastly incident where two women were stripped, paraded and allegedly raped.
It has been 63 days since an FIR was filed against unknown persons and the culprits are still at large, he said.
"The rest of India had little clue that such a horrific incident occurred due to the ongoing Internet ban in Manipur. But it's absolutely inexcusable that the Women and Child Development Minister (Smriti Irani) waited for 76 days to speak to the Manipur CM or even issue a statement," Ramesh said in his long Twitter post.
"Was the Union government, the home minister or the prime minister not aware of this? When will the Modi government stop acting like all is well?" he said.
The Congress leader asked when will the Manipur chief minister be replaced. He also sought to know how many more such incidents have been suppressed.
"As the Monsoon Session (of Parliament) starts today, INDIA will demand answers. Break your silence prime minister!" the Congress leader said.
Addressing a press conference, Mahila Congress chief Netta D'Souza slammed Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani for just tweeting on the issue and said she should be ashamed.
An emotional D'Souza lashed out at the government and held Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Irani responsible for the Manipur incident.
"I would like to remind Smriti Irani that before coming to power, you had said in Parliament that when such incidents against women take place, an all-party meeting should be called. You were giving suggestions to the then government and when you are in power why are you silent on Manipur," she asked.
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