“The Manipur incident will never be forgiven, and the guilty will not be spared,” said Prime Minister Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on Manipur violence on Thursday, a day after a video depicting two women from the Kuki-Zomi community being paraded nude by a mob of men began circulating on social media. He stated that his heart is filled with sorrow and rage over the “shameful” incident, and that what happened to these Manipuri daughters will never be absolved and that no perpetrator 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. https://t.co/39Rf3xmphJ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2023
Modi stated at the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament in 2023 that the entire nation has been insulted, and that 140 crore citizens feel humiliated.
Modi urged all governors to further bolster law and order in their respective states and adopt the most stringent measures to protect women.
“I urge all the state chief ministers to further strengthen the law and order situation in their respective states, and to take the most stringent measures possible to protect our mothers and sisters,” he said.
During his brief remarks, Modi also mentioned crimes committed against women in states governed by the Congress, such as Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
Whether in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, or any other part of the country, the Prime Minister stated that maintaining law and order and respecting women should take precedence over any political debate.
“I wish to assure my fellow citizens that no criminal will escape justice. The law will take full effect, step by step, with all of its power. What happened to the women of Manipur cannot be absolved,” said Modi.
Moments before the start of the Monsoon session of Parliament, several opposition members requested a postponement of the proceedings of both Houses in order to discuss the Manipur violence issue. Modi’s remarks were made in response. The opposition has criticised the Prime Minister for remaining silent regarding the violence in Manipur.
Two women were paraded nude in Manipur, which prompted the Supreme Court to issue a statement almost simultaneously with the Prime Minister’s comments. The Supreme Court stated that it was “deeply disturbed” by the Manipur video. The court stated that this is merely unacceptable and urged the government to take action.
The court stated, “We will give you some time to act, or else we will intervene.”
P Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader, inquired as to why the Prime Minister addressed the Manipur issue.
“The Prime Minister has broken his reticence on Manipur…”He did not spare a thought for the people of Manipur while travelling to the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, and various Indian states to inaugurate something,” Chidambaram tweeted.
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 brought Manipur to his mind? Was it the horrifying video of the unfathomable crime committed against the women of Manipur? Chidambaram questioned whether the Supreme Court had taken note of the enormous violation of human rights in Manipur.
Chidambaram stated, “The first thing the Prime Minister should do is dismiss the discredited government of Biren Singh and impose President’s Rule.”
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced shortly after the Prime Minister’s remarks that the Manipur Police had made the initial arrest in the incident.
Singh tweeted, “My heart goes out to the two women who were subjected to a deeply disrespectful and inhumane act, as depicted in the disturbing video that surfaced yesterday.”
“Immediately upon taking Suo-moto notice of the incident after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police sprang into action and made the first arrest this morning,” the chief executive officer added.
“A thorough investigation is currently underway, and we will ensure that all of the perpetrators are punished severely, including the possibility of the death penalty.” “Let it be known that such heinous acts have no place in our society,” he tweeted.
Tapir Gao, a BJP representative from Arunachal Pradesh, told the Indian Express, “Strong action will be taken now that the Prime Minister has condemned it.” We have also consented to a parliamentary discussion.”
