PM Modi Silence Manipur, A reminder of ‘Rashtra Chetna’ that excludes people: New Manipur MP Prof Akoijam in Lok Sabha

“India was a mute spectator…”, newly elected Congress MP from Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on the violence that had rocked the North Eastern state in 2023 and lasted for over a year, claiming more than 200 lives and leaving more than sixty thousand homeless. Interestingly, this was the first time a MP from the land spoke on Manipur Violence in the Parliament since the violence broke out. Previously the BJP MP from Inner Manipur and the alliance MP from Outer Manipur weren’t allowed a chance to speak on the issue on the floor of the house.

“You treat them as other, the silence on Manipur isn’t unique. It is a reminder of ‘rashtra chetna’ (nationalism) that excludes people. It is sad to see that a nationalist party like BJP will feel comfortable with this silence. Yep your hand on your heart and think about the sixty thousand people who are still languishing in camps. I will go quiet if the PM speaks out”, Prof Akoijam roared as the clock was ticking towards the midnight. Akoijam spoke post 11.40pm on Monday night, he was the last person to speak before the house got adjourned. The Congress MP regretted that he was speaking on the pressing issue at that hour of the day.

Akoijam also regretted that even after the trouble that had left the state divided, Manipur didn’t find any mention in the speech of the President for the 18th Lok Sabha’s opening session. “It’s a denial that has been meted out to the people of Manipur. Is this silence a communication to the people of North East and Manipur in particular that your lives don’t matter” he added. Akoijam’s remarks that BJP hasn’t honoured the contribution of people Manipur including Indian Olympic boxer Mary Kim, saw strong counter coming from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey who highlighted that it was BJP that had made Mary Kom a MP in Rajya Sabha. But not withstanding, Akoijam rebutted “if you have an iota of concern for the state…there would not have been a silence in this house nor in the presidential speech”.

In his 10 minute long speech, Akoijam passionately put forth before the house, what he called the anguish of the people of Manipur. “The hurt and anger have thrown a nobody like me to the parliament, to be part of the temple of democracy after beating a BJP cabinet minister. If you see pain and anguish in my voice and then please go and see the people of Manipur, go visit. Don’t talk about partition remembrance till you go visit the state”, he concluded the speech after which the house adjourned for Monday.​