Parliament Session 2024: In the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first address after beginning his third consecutive term, the Opposition erupted in unison, chanting “Manipur ko nyay do” (justice for Manipur) amidst ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities for over a year. Pm Modi was talking about ‘Viksit Bharat’ when the Opposition mentioned Manipur violence.
Amidst the chants of “justice for Manipur,” PM Modi said, “People have chosen us in this biggest election exercise. I can understand the pain of some people who, despite running falsehoods, were comprehensively defeated.”
Since May 3, 2023, the Opposition INDIA bloc has criticized PM Modi for what they perceive as his silence regarding the ethnic violence in Manipur. The conflict, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, has resulted in over 220 deaths and displaced more than 60,000 people, who are now residing in camps within the state or seeking refuge elsewhere.
As the chants kept getting louder, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened, rebuked the Opposition and said, “Ye tareeqa nahi hota hai (This is no way to behave).”
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi replies to Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, in the Lok Sabha
He says “Yesterday and today, several MPs have expressed their views of the President’s address, especially those who have come among us for the first time as Parliamentarians.… pic.twitter.com/yeLlcxFv67
— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2024
Meanwhile, replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, PM Modi said, “Yesterday and today, several MPs have expressed their views of the President’s address, especially those who have come among us for the first time as Parliamentarians.
“They followed all the rules of the Parliament, and their behaviour was like that of an experienced Parliamentarian, and despite being the first timers, they have enhanced the dignity of the House and have made this debate more valuable with their views…” PM Modi added.
Amid PM Modi’s dig at the Opposition MPs, the loud uproar of ‘Manipur ko Nyay Do’ drowned out PM Modi’s voice in the Lok Sabha.
The Opposition has also been seeking a debate on the recent NEET 2024 examination debacle, which rocked the future of several aspirants amid rampant paper leaks and exam cancellations.