The recent imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur has ignited a political firestorm, with the Congress party vehemently criticizing the move as a blatant admission of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) failure to govern effectively. This development has raised significant concerns about the state’s governance and the central government’s approach to handling the prolonged ethnic violence that has plagued Manipur.
Congress Condemns Imposition of President’s Rule
On April 3, 2025, during a late-night session, the Lok Sabha adopted a statutory resolution confirming the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. This action has been met with sharp criticism from the Congress party. Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, accused the government of “bulldozing” the resolution through Parliament in the early hours, allowing minimal time for debate and discussion. He remarked, “This is adding insult to injury.”
Ramesh also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence, noting his departure to Bangkok amid the crisis. He questioned the Prime Minister’s priorities, stating, “Look East by all means but why continue to ignore Manipur?”
Government’s Defense and Response
In response to the criticism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the government’s actions, asserting that all possible steps have been taken to restore normalcy in Manipur. He highlighted that there had been no incidents of violence in the past four months and that dialogues with both Meitei and Kuki communities were ongoing to achieve a peaceful resolution.
Shah attributed the onset of ethnic violence to a Manipur High Court order in May 2023, emphasizing that the central government promptly deployed forces by air to address the situation. He provided statistics indicating that 260 individuals had lost their lives since the violence began, with 80% of the casualties occurring within the first month.
Historical Context of Ethnic Clashes in Manipur
The Home Minister also provided historical context, referencing previous ethnic clashes in Manipur:
- Naga-Kuki Clashes (1990s): Spanning over five years, these conflicts resulted in approximately 750 deaths.
- Kuki-Paite Clashes (1997-98): These confrontations led to 352 fatalities.
- Meitei-Pangal Clashes (1990s): Over 100 individuals lost their lives during these incidents.
Shah pointed out that during these previous episodes of violence, neither the then Prime Minister nor the Home Minister visited Manipur, suggesting a precedent of central inaction during state crises.
Congress Leaders Demand Accountability
The Congress party has been vocal in demanding accountability from the BJP-led central government. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described the imposition of President’s Rule as a direct admission of the BJP’s failure in both the state and central governments. He called for Prime Minister Modi to apologize to the people of Manipur, stating, “The imposition of President’s rule by YOU, suspending YOUR own party’s government is a direct admission on how YOU failed the people of Manipur.”
Rahul Gandhi echoed similar sentiments, labeling the move as a “belated admission” of the BJP’s inability to govern Manipur. He questioned whether Prime Minister Modi would now take responsibility and outline a plan to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
Gaurav Gogoi, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, emphasized that the imposition of President’s Rule symbolized the collective failure of Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP’s leadership in the Northeast. He expressed concern over the absence of a roadmap for sustainable peace and reconciliation in Manipur.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the “frequent flier flies off again”. “This time it is to Bangkok. Look East by all means but why continue to ignore Manipur?” Ramesh said on X. “And why bulldoze the proclamation on President’s Rule in the state at 2AM this morning in the Lok Sabha, leaving just an hour for debate and discussion but just about enough time for the Home Minister’s falsehoods, twists, and distortions? This is adding insult to injury,” the Congress leader said.
7 Shocking Facts About Manipur’s President’s Rule & BJP’s Governance Failure
1. President’s Rule Imposed with Minimal Debate – Congress accused the government of rushing the resolution through Parliament at midnight, leaving little room for discussion.
2. Ethnic Violence Has Killed 260 People – The ongoing conflict has led to over 260 deaths, with 80% of casualties occurring in the first month.
3. Manipur High Court’s 2023 Order Triggered the Crisis – The government claims the violence started after a controversial High Court order regarding tribal status.
4. Prime Minister Modi Remained Absent from Manipur’s Crisis – Despite months of unrest, Modi has not visited the state and instead left for Bangkok during the resolution debate.
5. Historical Ethnic Clashes Have Killed Thousands – Manipur has a long history of ethnic violence, with major conflicts between Naga-Kuki, Kuki-Paite, and Meitei-Pangal communities.
6. Congress Calls President’s Rule a Direct Admission of BJP’s Failure – Congress leaders demand Modi take responsibility, calling it a “belated admission” of misgovernance.
7. No Clear Roadmap for Peace and Stability – Despite claims of improvement, the central government has yet to provide a concrete strategy for long-term peace.
The Path Forward for Manipur
The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur underscores the complexities and challenges of governing a state fraught with ethnic tensions. While the central government maintains that it is taking necessary steps to restore peace, the opposition’s critique highlights a perceived lack of effective governance and timely intervention.
For the residents of Manipur, the priority remains the restoration of peace, security, and normalcy. Achieving this requires not only political will but also a comprehensive strategy that addresses the root causes of ethnic tensions, ensures equitable development, and fosters genuine dialogue among all communities involved.
As the political discourse continues, the central government’s actions in the coming months will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of Manipur’s path to stability and reconciliation.
Read More: While Manipur grapples with political turmoil, other Northeastern states are making strides in different areas. For instance, Nagaland has been actively promoting sports as a means of youth engagement and social development. Read more about Nagaland’s Football Initiatives and how sports can contribute to regional progress.
