Shruti Suman
On Wednesday, Home Minister Amit Shah delivered what might have been his longest speech in parliament. He listed the achievements of the Modi government over the past nine years, countered his political opponents, and explained the central government’s efforts to address ethnic violence in Manipur.
Speaking for a little over two hours, Shah avoided discussing sexual crimes when addressing Manipur and refrained from mentioning the number of rape cases in states ruled by the opposition. He referred to a recent case involving the rape and public humiliation of a Manipur woman, as shown in a viral video, as a “blot on humanity.”
Shah’s speech was structured around three main themes: the government’s achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, political rebuttals, and the situation in Manipur. However, the underlying emphasis was on national security and the government’s commitment to resolving conflicts and fostering progress in sensitive regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Maoist-affected areas, and the north-eastern states.
Shah meticulously prepared for his speech, addressing anticipated questions from opposition leaders. He backed up his claims with data and contrasted the government’s accomplishments with how the opposition had handled similar matters when in power.
Throughout his speech, Shah highlighted the popularity of Prime Minister Modi and offered a glimpse into what Modi might discuss in his upcoming parliamentary address. Shah emphasized the BJP’s commitment to “politics of performance and politics with principles,” recalling how the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government faced a no-confidence motion due to its adherence to principles.
Regarding Manipur, the ethnic violence stemmed from a court order that prompted the state government to consider including the valley-dwelling Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes category. Shah also criticized past Prime Ministers Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi for their handling of communal incidents.
While discussing Manipur, Shah maintained a less confrontational tone, appealing for unity among the Kuki and Meitei groups for the sake of peace. He extended a similar appeal to the opposition, which was rejected.
Shah explained that the government’s approach to Jammu and Kashmir differed from the opposition’s, as the government focused on engaging with the youth rather than the Hurriyat. He asserted that the government was making efforts to resolve the Maoist issue in specific districts.
Shah detailed the government’s achievements, including COVID-19 management, vaccination, infrastructure projects, and farmer welfare. He briefly addressed the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, attributing it to the Congress but asserting that the BJP had acted on it.
Shah highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s active involvement in addressing the situation in Manipur, including multiple meetings held over the past three months. He contrasted the government’s proactive approach to the UPA’s handling of Manipur during times of crisis.
Shah responded to allegations made by opposition members, addressing claims of the BJP “bringing down governments” and offering counterarguments to their criticisms. He also recounted Rahul Gandhi’s criticisms of the government and referred to specific instances to challenge Gandhi’s assertions.
Despite disruptions from the opposition, Shah’s confident delivery and well-structured narration stood out. He displayed patience even toward an unlisted speaker from the opposition.
Shah emphasized that casualties in Manipur had decreased since the outbreak of violence and urged the opposition not to exacerbate the situation. He refuted claims that the government was avoiding discussing Manipur and urged transparency.
Shah recounted Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Manipur and criticized his use of a helicopter after initially rejecting it in favor of a road trip. He criticized such political maneuvers during times of crisis.
NI Bureau
