Senior Congress Leader P Chidambaram Slams Modi Government Over Manipur Violence

New Delhi, August 2, 2023: P Chidambaram, a senior leader of the Congress party, launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government for its handling of the violence-stricken state of Manipur. He accused the central government of abandoning its constitutional responsibility and criticized its approach towards the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Chidambaram’s comments came in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s observation on the complete breakdown of law and order and constitutional machinery in Manipur. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the state police’s slow and lackluster investigation into incidents of ethnic violence, particularly those targeting women. As a result, the court summoned the Director General of Police (DGP) to provide answers to its queries on August 7.

In a tweet, Chidambaram questioned the responsiveness of the central and state governments to the Supreme Court’s indictment, stating, “How long will it take for the Supreme Court’s indictment of the Manipur Government to reach PMO in Delhi and CMO in Imphal?” He called for the Chief Minister of Manipur, Mr. Biren Singh, to resign if he has any sense of constitutional morality, emphasizing that only those who uphold “rajdharma” (the duty of a ruler) can preach it.

The former Home Minister further accused the central government of neglecting its constitutional responsibility under Articles 355 and 356, which pertain to the duty of the Union to protect states from external aggression and internal disturbance, as well as the imposition of President’s rule, respectively.

The Supreme Court’s censure of the law enforcement machinery in Manipur highlighted the rampant ethnic violence and loss of control over the law and order situation. The court demanded detailed information from the state government, categorizing cases involving murder, rape, arson, loot, destruction of property, attacks on places of worship, and outraging the modesty of women.

The deteriorating situation in Manipur has raised concerns, with opposition leaders demanding swift action and accountability from both the central and state governments to restore peace and protect the citizens’ rights.