In a verbal attack, Union minister Smriti Irani criticizes the opposition for failing to bring up the mistreatment of women in the states of Rajasthan, Chandigarh, and Bihar. Irani claimed that the opposition lacks the “guts” to discuss violence against women in areas that are not BJP states. In her heated statements, she also called out Congressman Rahul Gandhi and accused him of “setting Manipur on fire.” Continue reading to learn more about what happened.
The Turmoil And Tensions In Manipur
Manipur has long battled with several socio-political issues while being a state famous for its rich cultural legacy and numerous ethnic communities. The area has experienced challenges like violence, poor infrastructure, and unemployment over the years. Despite the ongoing difficulties, the state was gradually moving in the direction of stability and development. Manipur saw ethnic violence in May of this year, which resulted in more than 160 deaths and hundreds of injuries. On May 3, after the hill districts organized a “Tribal Solidarity March” to protest the Meitei community’s desire for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, violence broke out. These current events have once again brought Manipur into the public eye.
What Went Down In The Parliament?
During the question hour in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Amee Yajnik, a Congress MP, questioned whether female ministers would address the violence in Manipur. Smriti Irani responded by accusing the opposition parties of ignoring crimes against women in states where the BJP is not in power. Irani was clearly outraged.
“I have strong objections to this because women ministers and women politicians have spoken not only on Manipur but also on Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar. Tell me when you will have the guts to discuss Rajasthan. When will you have the guts to discuss Chhattisgarh? When will you have the courage to discuss what is happening in Bihar?” Irani said.
She did not stop here and further commented, When will you have the courage to tell us how women are raped in Congress-ruled states? When will you have the guts to tell how Rahul Gandhi set Manipur on fire? She said, Do not cast aspersions on women ministers in this cabinet, while the other MPs of her party cheered.
Smriti Irani’s Reaction Was Termed A “Meltdown”?
The opposition labeled Smriti Irani’s outburst a “meltdown,” and the video of it quickly gained popularity. Supriya Shrinate, a leader in the Congress, criticized Smriti Irani for her “theatrics” and claimed that her deceased morality wouldn’t spring to life with them. “You were silent on Manipur for 78 days. About Hathras, Lakhimpur, Shahjahanpur, and Ankita Bhandari, you remained silent. You said nothing in support of our athletes. @smritiirani, you have failed women, “Tweeted Shrinate.
The accusations put against each other by the parties have brought Manipur into sharp focus. While ideological differences are bound to persist, leaders should be aware of the potential social consequences of their provocative actions. As the nation watches intently, unity and empathy are necessary in order to work for the welfare of not just Manipur but also beyond.
Who do you think was right in this situation? What according to you should be done to calm the tensions in Manipur? Let us know in the comment section below. We await your response.
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