NI Bureau
Tensions have escalated between the ruling NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and the Opposition parties in India over the alarming increase in crimes against women and the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. Over the past three working days, several MPs from the Opposition have submitted forceful adjournment notices in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, seeking urgent attention to these critical issues. Meanwhile, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Rajasthan have gathered near the Gandhi statue within the Parliament House premises to protest the rising number of heinous crimes against women in their state. On the other side, MPs from the Opposition alliance INDIA have also assembled at the Gandhi statue, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the situation in Manipur. Earlier, it was anticipated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had visited the northeastern state during the ongoing violence, would address the Parliament on the matter.
Derek O’Brien, a member of the Trinamool Congress, has accused the BJP of being in “reactive mode” and engaging in a “copycat” demonstration to divert attention from the pressing issue in Manipur. He expressed support for the INDIA parties’ planned protest and criticized the BJP’s sudden announcement of their demonstration at the same venue.
The Parliament’s functioning has been disrupted since the commencement of the Monsoon Session on July 20, with fervent protests from the Opposition. They are insisting on a detailed discussion regarding the unrest in Manipur and an official statement from PM Modi on the matter within both houses. The Opposition demands that all other parliamentary business be suspended for the day to prioritize the Manipur issue. However, the government has only agreed to a “Short Duration Discussion” thus far, leading to an ongoing standoff between the two sides.
Aniket Sardhana
