Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day amid Opposition uproar over Manipur issue

Parliament's Monsoon Session started on a shaky note with the Opposition's demand for a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Manipur situation followed by an immediate discussion on the ethnic violence in Manipur leading to adjournment of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Both the Houses could not conduct any substantial business, as the Opposition MPs rejected the government's proposal to have a short-duration discussion but without a commitment on the Prime Minister's intervention.

Opposition's belligerent stand on the immediate discussion by suspending rules in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha came after Opposition grouping I.N.D.I.A held a strategy session at Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge's office. Leaders decided that they should not compromise on the demand for intervention by the Prime Minister.

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As the first day of the session saw a washout, there was a war of words over who was responsible for it. Senior BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that the Opposition disrupted Parliament proceedings and did not allow a discussion on the Manipur issue. A debate would have sent out a "meaningful and positive" message to the people of the violence-hit state, he said.

However, Congress General Secretary (Communications) countered it in a tweet, "So, the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament was washed out. This was because the Modi govt did not agree to I.N.D.I.A's demand for an immediate discussion on the post-May 3rd situation in Manipur following a statement by the PM inside Parliament."

So the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament was washed out. This was because the Modi govt did not agree to INDIA's demand for an immediate discussion on the post-May 3rd situation in Manipur following a statement by the PM INSIDE Parliament.

The PM deemed it more…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 20, 2023

"The PM deemed it more appropriate to give a 'Desh ke Naam Sandesh' via the media outside Parliament before the two Houses met. This 'sandesh' itself was completely silent on how and why a humanitarian tragedy was allowed by the so-called double engine sarkar which has all but destroyed the delicate social fabric of Manipur," he added.

In Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government has already made it clear that it is open to a discussion on Manipur and that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given a similar assurance.

Against Opposition's demand, Joshi said Home Minister Amit Shah would reply to the debate but the Opposition MPs were not impressed. The House was adjourned for the day, as the Opposition MPs continued to protest.

Rajya Sabha witnessed two adjournments over the issue. Kharge said when the House re-assembled at 2 pm, "I have made my full efforts to attract your attention and given notice but unfortunately, I am not allowed to raise this (rule) 267. You know Manipur is burning, women are raped and paraded naked... and Prime Minister is keeping quiet. He is giving a statement outside. It is an insult to the House."

Earlier in the day, Leader of House (Rajya Sabha) Piyush Goyal told the House that the government was willing for a short duration after Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said he had accepted eight notices seeking a discussion on Manipur.

However, the Opposition was adamant about the Prime Minister's presence and his statement. Kharge said that the Prime Minister was talking outside the House. "Call the Prime Minister. Let him give a statement and then we can have a discussion," he said.

Trinamool Congress floor leader Derek O'Brien said, "The notices to suspend the business should be taken up first. We want a discussion immediately. The Prime Minister has to come. Where is the Prime Minister?"