Northeast Desk, 15th April: In a scathing rebuke, Jairam Ramesh, a prominent Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member, has lambasted the Prime Minister’s handling of the alleged crisis manufactured by the BJP in Manipur. Ramesh raised poignant questions regarding the controversial title adopted by BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP in Manipur, Sanajaoba Leishemba, and the government’s passive response to the escalating turmoil in the state.
Expressing deep concern, Ramesh denounced the use of the title “Maharaja of Manipur” by Sanajaoba Leishemba, labeling it a flagrant violation of constitutional norms, particularly Article 18 of the Indian Constitution, which unequivocally abolishes all feudal titles. He queried whether the Prime Minister or the Home Minister endorsed this title and urged swift action to halt this practice.
Furthermore, Ramesh criticized the Prime Minister’s conspicuous absence from the state and lack of engagement with its political representatives amidst the outbreak of large-scale violence on May 3rd, 2023. Contrasting this with Rahul Gandhi’s visits to the state to empathize with its plight, Ramesh questioned whether the Prime Minister’s stance reflected indifference or cowardice.
The situation in Manipur, according to Ramesh, has spiraled into a crisis akin to a civil war, marked by rampant lawlessness, casualties, displacements, and weapon theft. Despite mounting pressure from the Congress Party to dismiss CM Biren Singh in light of the administration’s collapse, Ramesh raised eyebrows at the Prime Minister’s steadfast support for Singh, prompting queries about the government’s true stance on the violence.
Moreover, Ramesh cast doubt on the Prime Minister’s claims of being a global leader (“Vishwaguru”), highlighting the government’s preoccupation with international affairs like Ukraine while seemingly neglecting the escalating crisis in Manipur. He questioned the Prime Minister’s priorities, particularly his failure to quell the civil war-like situation in Manipur despite his intervention in global conflicts.
Ramesh also underscored concerns about democratic processes in Manipur, citing the boycott of elections by Kuki youth and women due to perceived rights violations. This dissent, he argued, underscored broader challenges to democracy amidst the turmoil gripping the state.
As tensions continue to escalate in Manipur, calls for accountability and decisive action are growing louder across political circles, with Ramesh’s critique adding to the pressure on the government to address the crisis effectively.
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