Manipur’s 18-Month National Crisis: Centre’s Inaction Exposed in SC’s Flagged ‘Breakdown’
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticized the central government for its inaction in imposing President’s Rule in Manipur, despite the Supreme Court’s warning of an “absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery” in the state in August 2023. The scathing criticism comes ahead of the upcoming visit of six Supreme Court judges, including Justice B R Gavai, to relief camps in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on March 22.
Ramesh questioned the government’s delay in responding to the crisis, which has claimed over 200 lives, injured hundreds, and displaced thousands since May 3, 2023. “Why did it take almost 18-19 months to act when the Supreme Court had already made it clear that the situation had collapsed?” he asked. Ramesh also criticized the handling of the Governor’s position, pointing out that Manipur had no full-time Governor for six months and that the additional charge given to the Assam Governor was unusual.
The Congress leader also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the Manipur crisis, saying, “The Prime Minister goes to Assam but doesn’t visit Manipur. Why? The pain of Manipur is the pain of India, yet he remains silent.” Ramesh’s criticism comes as the Supreme Court’s visit to relief camps has heightened scrutiny over the government’s response to the crisis.
The Supreme Court’s observation in August 2023 highlighted the collapse of the state’s constitutional machinery, leaving the state without a functional government. According to the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the head of the Supreme Court’s six-judge team will visit relief camps in Manipur on March 22 as part of its duodecennial celebrations of the Manipur High Court. The visit is seen as a significant development, given the ongoing ethnic violence and instability in the state.
As the situation in Manipur continues to worsen, Ramesh’s outburst is likely to add to the growing chorus of criticism against the government’s handling of the crisis. With the Supreme Court’s visit and the government’s inaction, the spotlight is now firmly on the situation in Manipur, and the need for a swift and effective response to address the suffering of the people of the state.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/sc-flagged-breakdown-in-manipur-centre-took-18-months-to-act-jairam-ramesh-1185730-2025-03-18?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-03-18 22:30:00
