Spokespersons: Shri Gaurav Gogoi and Ms. Praniti Shinde: Ms Praniti Shinde said we have seen a gross show of the Prime Minister’s insensitivity and lack of empathy towards the burning issue of Manipur that has been going on for so long. Yesterday, we heard the Prime Minister’s reply to the Presidential address and just as the Prime Ministers’ reply was about to begin, Hon’ble Rahul Gandhi Ji raised his hand as the Leader of Opposition (LoP), it’s the second most important position, Constituent position after the Leader of the House, which is the Prime Minister. He raised his hand to speak, but he was denied the opportunity. It has never happened that the LoP’s mic has been switched off. When the Congress was in power and when the BJP was in Opposition, the LoP’s mic was always on, even in the Vidhan Sabhas, the LoP’s mics are always on, but first time in the history of this country, the LoP’s mic has been switched off.He was denied permission by the Hon’ble Speaker to speak on the issue of Manipur, that in itself is an act of insensitivity and lack of empathy towards Manipur.

When that happened, the Prime Minister continued his speech. All of us identified with the problems of the Manipur. INDIA alliance has strongly stood by the people of Manipur. Speaker sir, we just want a minute, all we wanted only sixty seconds to bring in front of the Prime Minister, who probably either is not aware of the problems of Manipur, or he doesn’t want to face the people of Manipur, he doesn’t want to go to Manipur and which is why they often deny us the opportunity to present the problems of Manipur in Parliament.

The Prime Minister does not belong to a particular party, when he is representing the country, he belongs to the entire nation. The least we expect from him is sensitivity, when so many people have died, when women have been paraded naked in Manipur.

Prime Minister didn’t even mention Manipur in his speech, that in itself is the most how hardened can you be and there is no empathy, there is lack of empathy. They talk about infrastructure, that happen in the North-East. Why doesn’t he use those roads to reach Manipur? Why hasn’t the Prime Minister gone to Manipur? That’s the major big question that we want to ask the BJP and the Prime Minister.

You have to respect the Opposition. You have to respect and understand the problems of Manipur and that’s all we are asking you to do. But he is so full of himself that he is turning blind eye to Manipur. You can silence our voices in Parliament, but you cannot silence our voices on the streets of India. We represent the voice of India. We represent the voice of Manipur and you cannot deny us that opportunity.

So, it’s not all about Hunky-Dory and it’s not all about show, when you are the Prime Minister, you are also responsible and accountable for all the atrocities that are happening in our country. The sorrow of the families is what we were to bring in front of you, may be your government has not been capable enough to tell you what has exactly happened in Manipur. It is an absolutely embarrassing thing for any Prime Minister of the country. Wednesday, July 3, 2024.