India: Home minister Amit Shah urges opposition for debate on horrifying Manipur incident

As the Oppositionholds vehement protests over a shocking video showing a mob parading two Manipur women naked, Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed his willingness to hold a parliamentary discussion. The minister also questioned the Opposition's cooperation.

Since the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Opposition hasbeen demanding a discussion on the horrifying video that emerged from the Indian northeastern state of Manipur.

The ruling government, as per reports,has maintained its readiness to engage in the matter.Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also affirmed in the Lok Sabha that the government is prepared to address the sensitive issue. However, in spite of this,chaos has ensued over a technicality.

What Amit Shah said

As per an NDTV report, during a brief address in Lok Sabha, Amit Shah urged the Opposition leaders to permit a debate on the matter, emphasising the importance of revealing the truth about the Manipur incident.However, the House was adjourned thrice due to the ongoing protests over the Manipur situation.

Shah said that Members of Parliament (MPs), from both sides of the political aisle, were interested in engaging in a discussion.

Despite this, continued protests by theOpposition MPs haveledto Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourning the proceedings for the day.

At the beginning ofthe Monsoon Session of Parliament, seeking a discussion on the situation in Manipur, at least 15 Opposition MPs reportedlysubmitted adjournment notices.While the central government has agreed to discuss the matter, it has faced chaos over a technicality.

Opposition demands and the discussion dilemma

The Opposition MPs demandthat the matter be discussed under Rule 267, which calls for the suspension of all businesses in the House to focus on a specific matter. In the Rajya Sabha, 27 MPs even presented notices to raise discussion under the said rule.

However, the Centre said itwas only willing to participate in a discussion under Rule 176—which provides for a short-duration debate.

Respondingto the Opposition's accusations of sexual assault on women in Manipur, the ruling BJP party (Bhartiya Janta Party) has reportedly countered with an assertion that there was aneed to discuss atrocities against women across all states, including in the Opposition-ruled states of Rajasthan and West Bengal.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE