Delhi: Indian Youth Congress staged protest over Manipur violence, inflation

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The Indian Youth Congress on Tuesday held a protest against the Centre over several issues, including the violence in Manipur, inflation and unemployment.

Scores of Indian Youth Congress leaders and activists gathered at Jantar Mantar for a 'Sansad gherao' protest with posters and raised slogans against the Centre.

The protesters were led by the organisation's national president Srinivas BV. Congress leaders, including Pawan Khera, Alka Lamba and Supriya Shrinate, were also present at the protest.

"This is a call to save Manipur from the violence that has been unleashed under the nose of the BJP government," the protesters said.

Shrinate said the "truth cannot be hidden" for long and added that "Manipur's voice will soon echo in Parliament".

More than 160 people have been killed in the ethnic clashes in Manipur since May 3.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi stated on Tuesday that the opposition bloc INDIA was compelled to bring a no-confidence motion against the government to break Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) on Manipur. Gogoi initiated the debate on the motion in the Lok Sabha and alleged that the government, which talks about "one India," has effectively divided Manipur into two distinct parts - one in the hills and the other in the valley.

As the lower house began discussing the motion presented by Gogoi, heated exchanges arose between the opposition and the treasury benches. This was after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned why Rahul Gandhi's name as the lead speaker was withdrawn at the last minute.

Gogoi's response prompted a sharp retort from Home Minister Amit Shah, who insisted that the member cannot make unsubstantiated claims about the Prime Minister.

Gogoi had submitted his motion - 'This House expresses want of confidence in the council of ministers' - before making his statement. He emphasized that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties were compelled to bring the no-confidence motion not just for numbers, but for justice for Manipur.

"Manipur demands justice. Martin Luther King Jr had said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. If Manipur is burning, the whole of India is burning. If Manipur is divided, the country is divided. We demanded that Prime Minister Modi, as the leader of the country, should come to the House and speak about Manipur. However, he kept a 'maun vrat' (vow of silence), stating that he will neither speak in the Lok Sabha nor in the Rajya Sabha," Gogoi stated.

(With PTI inputs)