BJP’s Rajasthan card to counter opposition but still no words on Manipur violence in Parliament

New Delhi: Amid the hue and cry seeking a comprehensive investigation into sexual crimes by mobs in violence-hit Manipur, BJP MPs staged a protest in the parliament as a means of deflecting attention from the Manipur incident of gang rape and instead focused on alleged crimes against women in Rajasthan, where a Congress government is in power.

While an uproar demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement by the Congress-led opposition in Lok Sabha ensued, Speaker Om Birla replied to the opposition that they cannot decide who to respond.

At the same time, Congress Lok Sabha MP, Manish Tewari, pressed for a comprehensive statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation in Manipur. He urged that such an important matter should be discussed under Rule 184 in the Lok Sabha and Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha, allowing for a thorough debate on the national security implications of the unrest in the border state.

"The information trickling out of Manipur is absolutely horrific," expressed Tewari. "The violence, especially sexual violence, emerging from the state is deeply disturbing. We need to address this matter urgently, given the potential national security implications."

Reacting to the Opposition's demand, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government's readiness for a discussion on the Manipur issue. However, the Parliament saw ruckus and adjournments as the standoff between the Opposition and the government continued.

Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Bachchan also weighed in on the matter, expressing disappointment that Manipur was being discussed internationally but not in India. She criticized the government for avoiding discussions on states where they hold power and called for a more in-depth debate inside the Parliament.

In response to the Opposition's protests, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned, further escalating tensions on the contentious issues.

As the Parliament remained in turmoil, MPs from the Opposition-front INDIA and the BJP held separate protests near the Gandhi Statue. While the Opposition demanded Prime Minister Modi's statement on the Manipur violence, the BJP MPs protested against the alleged rise in atrocities and crimes against women in Rajasthan.

The BJP MPs, led by Diya Kumari, the MP from Rajsamand, gathered in front of the Gandhi Statue in Parliament, expressing their concerns about the increasing incidents of violence against women in Rajasthan. The state, which is scheduled to go to elections later this year, witnessed a surge in crimes, leading to widespread public outrage and calls for urgent action.

"We are not indulging in whataboutery," stated Diya Kumari, "But we cannot overlook the distressing situation in our state. Rajasthan is as important as any other state in our country, and we demand that immediate steps be taken to address these heinous crimes against women."

The situation remains tense as the Parliament's proceedings are disrupted, leaving critical matters of women's safety in Rajasthan and the security implications of the Manipur violence hanging in the balance. The nation watches with bated breath as the government and the Opposition grapple to find common ground for meaningful discussions on these pressing issues.