Opposition demands for PM Modi’s Statement on Manipur, Rajya Sabha Adjourned after ruckus

The joint opposition has demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the Manipur violence in the House and a detailed discussion by suspending other listed business on Thursday, which caused Rajya Sabha to adjourn until 2 p.m. despite the government’s expressed willingness to discuss the issue.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced that he had received 12 notices under Rule 176 for short-duration discussion, the majority of which requested discussion on the Manipur violence and that it should be taken into consideration shortly after the Rajya Sabha convened at noon following the first adjournment and after paying respects to sitting and former members who passed away during the intersession period.

The chairman said that he had received three notices for discussion—two on the Odisha railway catastrophe and rail safety, one on unemployment, and the third on violence in Manipur.

Piyush Goyal, the leader of the House, stated that the administration is open to having a conversation about the situation in Manipur.

Opposition members sent suspension of business notices over situation in Manipur: Mallikarjun Kharge

Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the opposition, cited Goyal’s comments regarding the government’s openness to address the matter and said that opposition members had also sent notices. 

He further stated that members of the opposition had issued notices under Rule 267 to discuss Manipur and had asked for the suspension of other business scheduled for the day. Derek O’Brien, a Trinamool Congress MP, also stated that the opposition MPs had submitted notices under Rule 267 for a discussion on Manipur.

He stated that Prime Minister Modi should address the House about the situation in North Eastern state.

Although the Chairman stated that the administration is willing to engage in discussion, the opposition members persisted in their demand for both a statement from Prime Minister Modi over the ethnic violence in Manipur and a full-day debate on the subject.

The Chairman decided to postpone the House till 2 p.m. notwithstanding the noise. Parliament’s monsoon session started on Thursday and will last through August 11.