After 79 days, Prime Minister Modi mentions ‘Manipur’
Expressing “anguish and anger” at the shocking sexual assault of two women in Manipur, which was circulated in a viral video, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday broke more than two months of public silence over the deadly ethnic clashes in India’s northeast. He assured the nation that the guilty would not be spared and that the law would act with its “full might” to deliver justice
The disturbing video, which triggered massive outrage, depicts two naked women surrounded by a group of men who subjected them to sexual assault and dragged them to a field. Despite attempts to restrict the video’s dissemination, it spread rapidly on social media late Wednesday.
Addressing the start of the monsoon session of Parliament, PM Modi stated, “I want to assure my countrymen that no culprit will be spared. What has happened in Manipur cannot be forgiven.” He reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and condemned the heinous act in the strongest terms possible.
Unlike the new INDIA coalition’s demand for a comprehensive statement on the situation in the State, Prime Minister Modi chose to focus only on the stark footage. He declared, “The guilty will not be spared. What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven.”
While not explicitly referring to the broader violence in the region, PM Modi urged heads of state governments to prioritize the safety of women and stressed that the incident was “shameful for any civilized nation.” He expressed his own personal pain and anger over the distressing incident, acknowledging its impact on the entire country.
“The incident that has come to light in Manipur is a shameful incident for any civilized society. The entire country is shamed… all the 140 crore people are feeling ashamed due to this. I appeal to all chief ministers across the country to strengthen laws to take stringent action against crime, especially against our mothers and daughters,” Modi stated.
Supreme Court takes suo motu cognizance
Reacting to the viral video, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the incident, expressing serious concern over the gross constitutional violation and infraction of human rights depicted in the footage.
Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, speaking on behalf of the court, asserted that using women as instruments of violence in a charged atmosphere is utterly unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.
“The visuals that have appeared in the media indicate gross constitutional violation and infraction of human rights,” remarked the Chief Justice. He further highlighted that while gender-based violence may have been employed as an instrument of control in the past, it is “simply not acceptable” in a democratic society.
The Supreme Court bench emphasized the urgency of apprehending the perpetrators responsible for this appalling act. “We are of the view that the court must be appraised of the steps taken to apprehend the perpetrators,” stated the bench, acknowledging that the video is from 4 or 5 May.
“We will give some time to the government to act, or we will take action… This is very deeply disturbing,” remarked the Chief Justice, highlighting the seriousness with which the court views the issue.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, expressed agreement with the court’s concern and acknowledged that the incident was unacceptable. “Steps are being taken,” he informed the bench comprising Chief Justice Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice Manoj Misra.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for the matter on Friday, 28 July.
Manipur Police arrests four
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday morning took to twitter and said, “After taking a Suo-motu cognisance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this morning.”
The arrested person has been identified as Huirem Herodas Meitei, the main accused in the Manipur stripping incident. Police said more arrests would be made soon.
Later, the Manipur Police control room issued a statement and said three more persons were arrested in connection with the incident. The accused were arrested by the Nonpok Sekmai police.
“Four main accused arrested in the Viral Video Case: 03 (three) more main accused of the heinous crime of abduction and gangrape under Nongpok Sekmai PS, Thoubal District have been arrested today. So a total 04 (four) persons have been arrested till now,” the Manipur Police tweet read.
Not a shame for the country: Rahul Gandhi
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at PM Modi as he tweeted, “Prime Minister, the issue is not that it’s a shame for the country. The issue is the immense pain and trauma inflicted on the women of Manipur. Stop the violence immediately.”
Parliament adjourned after ruckus over Manipur
The first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament witnessed repeated disruptions and chaos as the Opposition demanded a discussion on the recent violence in Manipur in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till Friday, 21 July, after convening thrice.
Karnataka MP and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge led the charge, urging the chairperson, Jagdeep Dhankar, to “suspend all other business” and prioritize discussions on the situation in Manipur.
“The Prime Minister has to open his mouth in this House,” TMC MP Derek O’Brien said in the Rajya Sabha earlier. The Centre, meanwhile, repeatedly said in both Houses that it is ready for a discussion on the matter and questioned the Opposition’s motives behind not letting the Parliament function.
CM Rio condemns
Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio has strongly condemned the incident in Manipur where two women were paraded naked by a mob of men and being sexually assaulted. Terming the incident as barbaric and shameful, Rio condemned the despicable act in the strongest terms possible. He said tyranny of the mob has no place in a civilized society.
“We are deeply pained by the series of incidents that have been happening in Manipur,” Rio said. He urged the Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to act without delay and take concrete steps to restore the trust of the people. He said innocent women and children are always the first and the most impacted victims of any conflict.
Rio asserted that the government must protect the rights and dignity of every citizen. Calling for collective strive for peace, Chief Minister Rio said peace and humanity must prevail and violence must be shunned.