Delhi, 30 July (H.S.): Before adjournment, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the next item for consideration in the Lok Sabha: a statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Manipur by six months, alongside a brief discussion on the demand for grants for Manipur and supplementary grants for the year 2025-26.

Congress MP Anto Antony criticized the situation in Manipur, labeling it a man-made disaster and accused the BJP of silence, reflecting a lack of political will and administrative inefficiency. He argued that the Manipur government exacerbated the crisis through internet shutdowns, curfews, and police brutality, and raised concerns regarding the recent arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh, highlighting ongoing discrimination against Christians in the country.

The House was adjourned by until 5:30 PM after Trinamool Congress MP Dr. Kakoli Dastidar Ghosh's speech was disrupted by protests from another member. The uproar arose following Ghosh's remarks about the influx of disruptors from Myanmar and the government's failure to address ethnic violence in Manipur, along with the consideration that the extension of President’s Rule was merely a temporary fix. Ajit Kumar Bhuyan questioned the government's responses to terrorist activities and Donald Trump's announcement of a ceasefire, seeking clarity on national security and political outreach efforts by various states.

Upon resuming at 5:30 PM, proceedings were relatively calm as Dr. Dastidar continued her speech in Bengali. Congress MP Dr. A.B Akoijam, representing Manipur, emphasized that no local representatives were permitted to speak during prior discussions about President’s Rule, suggesting that Manipur is marginalized politically. He asserted that imposing President’s Rule should occur only during a constitutional breakdown and criticized the government for using it primarily to avoid embarrassment. He claimed the previous Chief Minister acted under the instructions from the Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Speaker Om Birla intervened, urging that evidence is required for claims made in the House, leading to protests from the treasury benches. Nishikant Dubey, a BJP MP, contended the discussions around President's Rule, asserting that the Governor's actions are beyond parliamentary debate. Akoijam referenced Supreme Court rulings emphasizing that President's Rule should not be enacted whimsically and called for fresh elections in Manipur instead. He underscored the unprecedented crisis and the need for citizens to have freedom of movement, opposing the continued imposition of President’s Rule and advocating for the dissolution of the state assembly to restore the will of the people.

TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayulu expressed support for the resolution, framing it as a necessary step for healing in Manipur, akin to past narratives surrounding Jammu and Kashmir. He urged that the moment should be viewed not merely as central intervention but as a critical opportunity for national healing. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, responded to the discussion, clarifying that the violence in Manipur was rooted in community issues linked to a report and asserted that the imposition of President's Rule had led to a reduction in instances of violence. He outlined measures by the BJP government aimed at fostering progress in Manipur, including enhanced security and efforts to curb illegal drug inflow. The Lok Sabha subsequently adopted the statutory resolution extending President's Rule in Manipur for six months, with proceedings scheduled to continue at 11 AM on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar