Jaya Bachchan Criticises Government’s Silence on Manipur Unrest
New Delhi, July 24, 2023: Veteran actor and Samajwadi Party MP, Jaya Bachchan, expressed her disappointment over the government’s silence on the recent unrest in Manipur during the ongoing Parliament session. She highlighted that while the world was discussing the violence in the state after a months-old video showing two tribal women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men surfaced online, the country’s leaders remained reticent on the matter.
Addressing reporters in Delhi on Monday, she said, “Manipur ke vishay mein internationally sab log charcha kar rahe hain, humare desh mein nahi ho rahi hai. Iss se zyada main kya keh sakti hoon? It is a shame, charcha woh karana nahi chahte hain” (Manipur is being discussed internationally but not in our country, what more can I say. Government does not want discussion).
Jaya Bachchan’s remarks come amidst continuous demands from opposition MPs for a discussion on the violence in Manipur. She further pointed out the government’s focus on issues in other states, while leaving questions unanswered about the situation in their own states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Last week, Jaya Bachchan had expressed her dismay and grief over the video of tribal women from Manipur being subjected to such a horrifying ordeal, stating that she couldn’t bear to watch the entire video as it filled her with shame. She emphasized the need for empathy and action towards women’s safety, urging authorities to take stern action against the perpetrators.
The viral video has drawn widespread condemnation from various celebrities, including Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Sonu Sood, and others. Actor Kiara Advani, in particular, expressed her profound shock and called for swift justice for the victims.
As the calls for justice grow louder, it remains imperative for the government to address the serious issue of violence against women and take necessary actions to ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of their state or region.
