Manipur Violence: 'Manipur is burning for two years, government has completely failed...', Kharge lashes out at BJP; demands a white paper

Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday demanded an inquiry into the Manipur violence and asked the Central Government to present a white paper in the House.

Kharge said in the Rajya Sabha, "Manipur has been burning for two years and the government has failed to stop the violence. More than 260 people have died and more than 60 thousand people have been displaced. Families have been torn apart, yet the BJP kept watching silently."

'BJP is protecting PM Modi'

He said, "Manipur's economy has collapsed. GST collection has declined. The state has seen a terrible situation. The then Chief Minister of Manipur Biren Singh should have taken moral responsibility and resigned on the first day of violence."

The Congress president said, "The BJP is trying to save Prime Minister Narendra Modi but not Manipur. The Prime Minister refused to go there. What is the reason that PM Modi did not go to Manipur? The whole of Manipur was burning but PM Modi did not go there. During that time he must have gone to many foreign countries but he did not step into Manipur."

He said, "Rahul Gandhi went to Manipur and met the victims. Supreme Court judges and NGOs went to Manipur but the Prime Minister did not go. He does not have time." The Congress chief further claimed that the BJP has no plan to bring peace to Manipur.

Kharge raised questions on PM Modi's election rallies.

Kharge said, "What are you doing here, please establish peace in Manipur. The Prime Minister has time for election rallies, but not for Manipur. He failed to establish peace. Therefore, I demand an inquiry and also allow him to present a white paper. Everyone will know what is going on in Manipur. When the people of Manipur were crying for food, you never reacted."

Mallikarjun Kharge urged the Prime Minister to visit Manipur as soon as possible and fix the law and order situation there.

Kharge accused Dhankhar of being afraid of the government.

Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday requested Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to discuss Manipur in the House, saying, "You are afraid of the government...you should protect us."

Responding to Mallikarjun Kharge, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "India's farmer and his son are not afraid of anyone." Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved a motion for Rajya Sabha's approval of the President's proclamation for President's rule in Manipur.

Amit Shah said, "This House approves the proclamation issued by the President on February 13, 2025, under Article 356(1) of the Constitution in respect of the State of Manipur."

What is the matter?

Manipur has been under President's rule since February after N Biren Singh resigned from the post of Chief Minister. President's rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 under Article 356 of the Constitution. Violence between Meitei and Kuki in Manipur erupted on May 3, 2023, after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM).