Anurag Thakur Urges Oppn With Folded Hands To Debate On Manipur In Parliament

After the first two days of the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament were washed out, Union minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday appealed to the opposition parties "with folded hands" to join the debate on the Manipur issue.

The Minister also urged the Opposition not to politicise the issue of atrocities against women in Manipur. His appeal came after the anti-BJP parties cornered the government on the issue in both houses of the Parliament.

The Opposition parties have planned joint protests in Parliament on Monday on the situation in Manipur. They have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament before starting a discussion on the issue.

The Monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 and has witnessed disruptions over the ethnic violence in Manipur, particularly over a video purportedly shot on May 4, depicting atrocities against women in the state.

However, the Centre has been insisting that Home Minister Amit Shah will speak on the issue and not the Prime Minister. "Atrocities against women are painful, no matter which state the victims belong to. It is the responsibility of the state to curb such incidents," Thakur said.

He said the government is keen on a discussion on the issue of atrocities on women, which are prevalent in states such as Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal and Manipur.

"We wish that there should be a good discussion on this in the House, where all political parties will participate. Nobody should run away from the debate. It is my request to the opposition with folded hands, do not run away from the discussion," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.

"The opposition does all this to remain in discussion, but it does nothing to join the discussion," Anurag Thakur said when asked about the protests on the Manipur issue.

More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meanwhile, the Congress slammed Minister Thakur, calling his latest appeal as "theatrics". Your theatrics don't conceal the fact that PM Modi is scared to face Parliament. Let him come make a statement -- followed by a detailed discussion. We will collectively assure Manipur. Is he willing?" Congress leader Supriya Shrinate tweeted.