Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Manipur on Monday, a calculated move meant to put pressure on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi’s third trip to the state since May of last year signifies the Congress party’s resolve to deal with the ongoing situation in the area.
Gandhi’s visit, according to senior Congress officials, will highlight the need for Prime Minister Modi to go to the war-torn state as well. Since May of last year, the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi populations have been engaged in ethnic warfare.
Gandhi will meet with those impacted by the violence in Jiribam, Churachandpur, and Moirang relief camps during his visit. Additionally, he is expected to speak with Governor Anusuiya Uikey on
Significance of Jiribam Visit
Gandhi’s visit to Jiribam is especially significant because, up until a recent killing in June, the town had been largely quiet for a whole year.
Congress’s Stand on the Manipur Crisis
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) senior leader said, “PM Modi has been under fire from the Congress on several occasions for not going to Manipur since the violence started. Rahul Gandhi is showing his support for the people of Manipur and drawing attention to the Prime Minister’s disregard by making his third trip to the state.”
The leader went on to say that Gandhi’s visit is an act of solidarity with the Manipur people, as PM Modi is currently on foreign trips to Russia and Austria.
Manipur in National Politics
The Manipur situation has been brought up repeatedly in both Houses of Parliament by the opposition led by the Congress party. The opposition interrupted Prime Minister Modi’s response on July 2 during a debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address by chanting “Justice for Manipur” and “Bharat Jodo.”
In spite of the turmoil, President Droupadi Murmu’s June 27 speech to Parliament noticeably omitted the Manipur issue.
Opposition’s Critique and Government’s Defense
The Modi administration has come under fire from newly elected Congress MP from Inner Manipur, A Bimol Akoijam, who questioned whether the government’s lack of response meant that Manipur and the Northeast were unimportant.
In response, Prime Minister Modi urged the Opposition to refrain from politicising the matter and declared that his government is doing everything within its power to bring peace back to Manipur. He emphasised that Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, had addressed the problem in Manipur over several days.
But the Congress turned down PM Modi’s guarantees, with AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh characterising the assertions of the PM as implausible. Ramesh said, “The situation in Manipur remains tense,” citing recent comments made by MP Akoijam.
Gandhi’s Message of Solidarity
Girish Chodankar, the AICC’s Manipur in-charge, stressed that Gandhi’s visit is a show of compassion rather than a calculated political ploy. “Rahul ji is coming to Manipur to spread a message of love while also sharing the pain of the people there. Seeing Rahul Gandhi’s commitment, we hope the PM will pay us a visit as well,” Chodankar stated.
Gandhi is in Manipur to reassure the locals of the Congress’s unwavering support. Gandhi made two trips to the state prior to the polls, even beginning his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Manipur. Another Congress politician said, “Now that we have won both of its Lok Sabha seats, it’s crucial for the people to see that he stands with them even after the polls.”
Historical Context
Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra ended in Mumbai on March 18 after starting in Imphal on January 14. Gandhi regularly addressed the violence in Manipur during his Lok Sabha campaign, blaming the BJP and RSS of inciting enmity.
Gandhi’s first visit to Manipur after the violence broke out was on June 30, last year. He eventually arrived in Churachandpur by helicopter, after being prevented by authorities at first.
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