Opposition brings no-confidence vote to break PM Modi's 'maun vrat’ on Manipur: Congress's Gogoi

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. PTI Photo

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This was after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned why Rahul Gandhi's name as the lead speaker was withdrawn at the last minute.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.

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"Through the no-confidence motion, we aim to break his vow of silence," he added.

Gogoi questioned why Prime Minister Modi had not visited Manipur when Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Shah, and the Minister of State for Home (Nityanand Rai) had done so. He also questioned why it took the Prime Minister about 80 days to speak on Manipur, and even then, he spoke for just 30 seconds. He highlighted that since that brief statement, there has been no peace appeal from him regarding Manipur. Gogoi also emphasized that the power of the Prime Minister's words cannot be matched by ministers.

The Congress MP expressed grave concern that a government that emphasizes "one India" has effectively created two Manipurs - one in the hills and one in the valley.