In a tumultuous session at the Lok Sabha on Monday, opposition members persisted with their demands for a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the ethnic violence in Manipur. The House witnessed unrelenting protests and sloganeering, leading to adjournment until 2:30 PM.
Earlier in the day, the government managed to conduct some legislative business amid the uproar. The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, was withdrawn, while three new bills—the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023; the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023; and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023—were introduced.
Rajendra Agrawal, who presided over the session, urged the opposition members to resume their seats for a debate, but their protests seeking a statement from the Prime Minister persisted. The House was adjourned till 2 PM, according to PTI.
Advertisement
Earlier during the day, as the session commenced at 11 AM, opposition members from various parties, including Congress, DMK, and Left parties, vociferously raised their concerns. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded that PM Modi make a suo motu statement on the Manipur violence.
Speaker Om Birla assured the House of a discussion on the Manipur violence but emphasized that it could only commence after the Question Hour, scheduled from 11 AM, was concluded.
Despite the Speaker's reassurances, the opposition continued their protests, displaying placards demanding a discussion on the Manipur violence. The proceedings continued for about 30 minutes amidst the disruptions.
Advertisement
Birla once again appealed to the opposition to allow the Question Hour to proceed smoothly and expressed readiness for a discussion on the Manipur violence starting from 12 noon. However, the opposition's demands for the PM's statement prevailed, leading to another adjournment until 12 noon.
The Monsoon session has been marred by the Manipur violence issue, which has dominated the proceedings on the first two days. The demand for a statement from the Prime Minister and a discussion on the situation in Manipur arose after a disturbing video clip emerged, allegedly showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in a Manipur village on May 4. The incident has triggered widespread outrage.
The Manipur Police has taken action and arrested several individuals seen in the video. A case of abduction, gangrape, and murder has been registered against unidentified armed miscreants at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district.
