New Delhi: The Delhi Legislative Assembly witnessed a tumultuous session on Thursday as discussions over the ongoing violence in Manipur sparked fiery debates and political turmoil.
The special session, which marked the last day of the Vidhan Sabha, took an intense turn when echoes of Manipur violence reverberated through the Assembly, leading to a dramatic walkout by BJP legislators.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, speaking passionately in the assembly, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of maintaining a disturbing silence in the face of the turmoil gripping Manipur.
“In Manipur, 6,500 FIRs, 150 deaths, 60,000 people displaced, and daughters have been assaulted. But the PM remains silent,” Kejriwal said. He juxtaposed the PM with a neglectful father figure, drawing attention to the perceived lack of action regarding the plight of Manipur’s citizens.
The CM underscored PM Modi’s history of silence during past national crises, citing instances such as the women wrestlers’ protests and the violence in Manipur.
The session heated up when five BJP MLAs staged a walkout, declining to discuss the Manipur issue. AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak initiated a short-duration discussion on the northeastern state’s violence, leading to protests from the BJP members who insisted that Delhi-related matters should be prioritised. Furthermore, in his impassioned address, he raised pertinent questions on the PM’s silence over pressing national matters. “If the daughters of the country are being ill-treated in front of a father, and he turns away, where will our daughters go?” Kejriwal rhetorically asked, expressing concerns over the lack of intervention during severe crises.
Drawing parallels, he also highlighted the PM’s silence during instances like the alleged assault of female wrestlers and the border disputes with China. “It’s not a question of being reactionary, it’s a question of common sense,” Kejriwal commented, criticising the central government’s handling of the China issue.
He accused PM Modi of prioritising diplomatic relations, over upholding the country’s dignity and sovereignty.
The CM’s powerful speech also touched on economic matters, including the recent Hindenburg report and the loan waivers extended to billionaire defaulters. He raised concerns over the central government’s silence in the face of financial corruption and urged PM Modi to be accountable for these issues. “The nation wants to know the reasons for the deafening silence of PM Modi on the Manipur issue,” Kejriwal demanded. The assembly’s proceedings reflected a stark divide, with the BJP MLAs walking
out and refusing to participate in discussions on the
Manipur issue.