Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Manipur, calling it an “insult” to the people of the state who have been waiting for his attention for 29 long and agonizing months.
The visit, scheduled for September 13, is expected to last only three hours, sparking concerns about the Prime Minister’s commitment to addressing the state’s issues.
“This visit instead of providing a force for peace and harmony is actually going to be a farce,” Ramesh said in a post on X, questioning what the Prime Minister hopes to accomplish in such a short time.
“September 13th will actually be a non-visit by the PM, who has once again revealed his callousness and insensitivity towards the people of Manipur,” Ramesh said.
The criticism comes against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, which have resulted in over 260 deaths and thousands displaced since May 2023. The state has been under President’s rule following the Chief Minister’s resignation, with the Assembly suspended.
Ramesh’s comments highlight the growing discontent among politicians and the public regarding the government’s handling of the Manipur crisis. “What does he hope to accomplish by such a rushed trip?” Ramesh asked, emphasizing that the brief visit is an insult to the people of Manipur.
The Congress party has been demanding that the Prime Minister visit Manipur and address the crisis, with Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi making multiple visits to the violence-stricken state. The PM’s visit has been seen as a crucial step towards healing the wounds, but the brevity of the visit has raised more questions than answers.