In recent events, the Indian parliament, Lok Sabha, witnessed a walkout by opposition parties during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech. Subsequently, the government defeated the opposition’s no-confidence motion on Thursday.
During his extensive speech, spanning over two hours, PM Modi took the opportunity to address various concerns. Most notably, he promised swift action to restore peace in the northeastern state of Manipur. Modi emphasized, “The federal and state governments are relentlessly working to prosecute the culprits and restore tranquillity in the state. The entire nation stands with Manipur, and I want them to be assured of that.”
Modi did not shy away from addressing the opposition’s walkout, remarking, “Those who lack faith in democracy are quick to criticize but lack the patience to hear a response.” He added that such individuals aim to “spread misinformation and evade responsibility.”
Election Dynamics and the Role of Congress
With the general elections looming, Modi dismissed the no-confidence vote as a mere political stunt by the opposition. His party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which enjoys a significant majority in the lower house, is anticipated to secure a third term. Modi’s approach, appealing to India’s Hindu majority, has led the BJP to two overwhelming victories against Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party.
Addressing the challenges posed by the Congress, Modi remarked, “I empathize with Congress’s dilemma. They keep re-introducing the same strategies, yet they fail repeatedly.”
The Tumultuous Situation in Manipur
Rahul Gandhi, representing the opposition, vehemently criticized PM Modi’s alleged inaction over the disheartening events in Manipur, accusing him of “harming Mother India”. Gandhi returned to parliament after a recent legal victory, with the Supreme Court suspending his defamation conviction over previous remarks against Modi.
However, Modi’s prime focus was addressing the troubling situation in Manipur. According to official data, the state has witnessed the deaths of 152 people since May due to violent confrontations between the Hindu Meitei majority and the primarily Christian Kuki community.
Echoing sentiments of unity and peace, Modi labelled the violent episodes as “heart-wrenching” and expressed optimism about restoring peace in the region. As a measure, many troops have been deployed in Manipur, with a curfew and internet shutdown in effect.
Despite these efforts, Modi has faced criticism, especially from Human Rights Watch, for his party’s alleged divisive policies in the state. The criticism intensified after a disturbing video surfaced in July depicting a mob humiliating two Kuki women. Speaking on the incident, Modi conveyed his profound distress and anger.
