NDA, INDIA protest at Parliament amid stalemate over Manipur crisis
The Parliament premises witnessed rare scenes on Monday after the opposition and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held parallel protests over the rising crimes against women. While opposition MPs demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement over the Manipur crisis and a debate over it in the Parliament, MPs from the BJP demanded strict action on crimes against women in states ruled by opposition parties.
Why does this story matter?
PM Modi broke his months-long silence on the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur after a video showing two women stripped naked, paraded, and allegedly sexually assaulted emerged on Wednesday. However, the opposition, which accused him of deliberately dodging the issue to hide his government's incompetence, demanded his statement in the Parliament. The government said it was ready to discuss Manipur violence, among other issues.
BJP highlighted alleged atrocities in opposition-ruled states
According to NDTV, BJP MPs from Rajasthan protested near Mahatma Gandhi's statue on Parliament premises against the alleged rise of crimes against women in states ruled by opposition parties like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. BJP legislators also highlighted the issue of alleged atrocities against women and Dalits in Bihar and Telangana, respectively ruled by the Janata Dal (United) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Watch: BJP Rajasthan MPs protest at Mahatma Gandhi's statue
INDIA MPs reiterate demand for PM Modi's statement
The MPs belonging to the newly formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) also held a protest at the Parliament, demanding PM Modi's statement regarding the Manipur situation. The violence began in Manipur on May 3, and since then, PM Modi has only spoken once, in response to the aforementioned video. Some MPs submitted adjournment notices in the Parliament to discuss the Manipur crisis.
Watch: Opposition MPs protest over Manipur outside Parliament
'Copy cat': TMC's O'Brien says BJP deflecting from Manipur issue
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien said the BJP was in "reactive mode" and doing a "copycat" protest to divert attention away from the Manipur issue. "Sure signs that INDIA parties are doing it right. We announced...dharna in solidarity with #Manipur a few days ago...BJP in REACTIVE mode. Doing copycat at same venue, hurriedly announced this morning. Looking to deflect (sic)," he tweeted.
