Parliament monsoon session: Ruckus over Manipur issues forces day-1 adjournment
Amid a ruckus over the demand for a discussion on the Manipur issue, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day, with proceedings scheduled to resume at 11:00am on Friday. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pralhad Joshi said that the government has previously stated that it is open to discussing the Manipur violence in both Houses.
Why does this story matter?
This development came just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke out on the horrific viral video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur. In the video that sparked massive national outrage, two women can be seen being paraded naked by an angry mob. Reports also claimed that the victims were dragged to a field, where they were allegedly gang-raped.
Manipur is sensitive issue: Joshi
While opposition MPs continued to shout slogans on Manipur, Joshi said, "We have made it clear that we are ready for discussion on Manipur in both Houses. Manipur is a sensitive issue." "Home Minister (Amit Shah) will reply to the discussion in detail. Let the Speaker decide the date of discussion," the saffron brigade leader was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.
Video of Joshi's address
Manipur is burning; women are raped: Kharge attacks Modi
Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge questioned PM Modi's "silence" over the issue and said that the northeastern state was "burning." "Manipur is burning. Women are raped, naked, paraded and the PM is keeping quiet and is giving statements outside," Kharge said on the first day of the Parliament monsoon session.
Check out Kharge's address on Manipur issues
We will keep raising Manipur issue, says Jairam Ramesh
On the other hand, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh told the media that 26 political parties demanded the suspension of all business on Thursday and discussion on the Manipur issue. "PM Modi should make a statement, and on the basis of his statement, discussion should be done in both Houses, but our demand was ignored. We will keep raising this issue," he added.
What happened with daughters of Manipur can't be forgiven: Modi
Before Thursday's monsoon session of Parliament, Modi addressed the media about the viral video of the two women in Manipur, saying, "My heart is full of pain and anger." "I want to assure the countrymen that no guilty will be spared. What has happened to these daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven," the prime minister added.
Know about viral video of 2 Manipur women
On Wednesday evening, a shocking video surfaced on social media showing a group of men groping and parading two naked women who were reportedly gang-raped as well. As per the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), the incident occurred in the state's Kangpokpi district on May 4. The clip triggered massive condemnation among the public, celebrities, and politicians.
Police make first arrest in Manipur 'naked women' video
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced on Thursday morning that the main accused had been apprehended by the police. Identified as Heradas, the 32-year-old accused was arrested from the Thoubal district. "After taking a Suo-moto cognizance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this morning," Singh said in a tweet.
