Ready to discuss Manipur issue: Amit Shah amid opposition protest
What's the story
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the central government is ready for a discussion on Manipur violence and questioned why the opposition was not cooperating.
His statement comes amid protests by opposition parties in the Parliament over the sexual violence against two Manipur women.
Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also said the Centre was prepared to talk on the sensitive matter.
Context
Why does this story matter?
After nearly three months of ethnic conflict, the situation in Manipur reached center stage last week when a video of two women paraded naked and allegedly sexually abused went viral.
The opposition accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of purposely avoiding discussion on the matter to hide its failures.
The impasse between the government and the opposition has severely hampered Parliament's ongoing Monsoon Session.
Amit Shah
'Important for truth of Manipur to come out': Shah
In a brief address in the Lok Sabha, Shah urged the opposition to allow a debate on the Manipur issue, saying it was important for "the truth" to come out.
Earlier, the House was adjourned three times due to an uproar over the issue.
Speaker Om Birla adjourned proceedings for the day after opposition MPs continued their protest when the proceedings resumed at 2:30pm.
Twitter Post
Watch: Home Minister Shah's brief address in Lok Sabha
"We're ready for a discussion in the House. I request the opposition to let the discussion take place. It is important that the nation gets to know the truth on this sensitive matter": Home Minister @AmitShah ji on the Manipur issue.
— Priti Gandhi - प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) July 24, 2023
Meanwhile, the opposition continues to block… pic.twitter.com/roGA07djo3
Parliament
Parliament's Monsoon Session remains stormy over Manipur violence
The ongoing Parliament Monsoon Session has witnessed ruckuses in both Houses since day one due to protests over the Manipur issue.
On the opening day, on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the violence publicly for the first time at a pre-session address in the Parliament complex.
He strongly criticized the incident in which two women were paraded naked and allegedly sexually abused.
Opposition demand
Opposition protests demanding for PM Modi's statement
The opposition parties held a protest again on Monday at Parliament premises, reiterating their demand that PM Modi make a comprehensive statement in the Parliament on the Manipur violence.
They said a discussion on the issue could only take place only after the statement.
The Centre on Friday agreed to discuss the issue in Parliament and said that Shah would respond on the matter.