“PM Modi interested in Israel but not interested in Manipur”: Rahul Gandhi slams the PM during his election campaign in poll-bound Mizoram

"It's amazing to me that the Prime Minister and the Government of India are so interested in what is happening in Israel but not interested at all in what is happening in Manipur,” said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi taking a jibe at Prime Minister for his alleged lack of prioritization of issues that have ‘destroyed the idea of Manipur’ on Monday, addressing a public gathering in poll-bound Mizoram.

“Some months ago, I went to Manipur. The idea of Manipur has been destroyed by the BJP. It is no longer a state, but two states,” said the Wayanad MP, recollecting the harrowing sites that he had witnessed during his visit to Manipur in June. "People have been murdered, women have been molested and babies have been killed but the PM doesn't find it important to travel there,” added Rahul Gandhi, sharpening his attack on PM Modi and the BJP-led Union Government.

Violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 between the two ethnic communities claiming hundreds of lives and injuring and displacing several thousands. PM Modi has not set foot in the strife-torn state yet. Rahul Gandhi stated that this is "something to be ashamed of", highlighting the PM’s alleged apathy towards the people of Manipur who are grappling with the ongoing violence.

The Congress leader added that the violence in Manipur is a mere "symptom of the problem". He claimed that "oppression is being carried out" against the citizens of India and that the concept of India is under attack. "What's happened in Manipur is also an attack on the idea of India," Gandhi stated.

Drawing a sharp contrast to the alleged state of the central government, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the Congress party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' aims to foster mutual respect, tolerance, and learning from diverse ideas, languages, and religions while promoting love as a unifying force. “However, this is the idea that the BJP is currently challenging as they target different communities, religions, languages, and cultures, promoting violence, arrogance, and a lack of understanding...This stance is entirely contrary to the idea of India that we hold dear—one that values respect for all and the protection of everybody,” alleged the senior Congress leader.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was greeted by massive crowds during his padayatra in Aizawl. He began the march from Chanmari junction after arriving in the capital of poll-bound Mizoram, and walked through the winding roads of the city, with Congress supporters waving party flags all around him. He waved at people waiting on both sides of the road, shook hands with them, and interacted with those who came to meet him during the padayatra, some also took selfies with the leader.

The elections for the 40-member assembly are in poll-bound Mizoram and are scheduled to take place on November 7.​