Over crimes against women in Manipur, Center-Opposition clash

NEW DELHI: Tensions between the Center and opposition parties are high in Manipur over issues of crimes against women and communal violence.

Opposition MPs have submitted strict adjournment notices for three consecutive working days in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, BJP MPs from Rajasthan gathered near the Gandhi statue on the House premises and demanded the immediate dismissal of the Rajasthan state government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, alleging increasing atrocities against women in the state.
Opposition All India MPs also gathered near the Gandhi statue, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the situation in Manipur and the suspension of the N Biren Singh-led government in the state.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman is reported to have received 11 notices for discussion under Rule 176 and 27 under Rule 267. BJP MPs Sidhanshu Trivedi and Sushil Modi have served notices for discussing violence during panchayat elections in West Bengal. Amid huge protests, the proceedings of both houses were adjourned till 12 noon.
Rule 176, which the Center insists on, allows a short-term debate on a particular issue, not exceeding two-and-a-half hours.
It specifies that any member wishing to discuss a matter of urgent public importance may provide a written notice to the Secretary-General, accompanied by an explanatory note stating the reasons for the discussion. Rule 176 does not include formal motion or voting.
The opposition calls for a lengthy debate in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, which empowers MPs to suspend the House’s pre-fixed agenda with the Speaker’s approval.

The government’s insistence on Rule 176 can be seen as a strategy to prevent the Manipur issue from escalating further in Parliament.
The BJP’s reaction and mock demonstration has been criticized by Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien, who said the opposition’s planned sit-in in solidarity with Manipur had been announced earlier.
The opposition is demanding a detailed discussion on the unrest in Manipur and an official statement by PM Modi on the matter within both houses.

The monsoon session, which began on July 20, was marred by opposition protests, which called for a detailed discussion on the situation in Manipur and the Prime Minister’s statement.
The issue arose after a disturbing video showed two women being paraded naked by men in Manipur. The opposition has accused the government of changing its demands and avoiding debate.