New Delhi (Agency): The Communist Party of India (Marxist), also known as the CPIM, holds Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh responsible for the recent ethnic turmoil in the state. On Thursday, they criticized Singh for endorsing a divisive agenda and casting the Kuki tribal minority as “foreigners” and “poppy cultivators”.
In a recent publication of their party newspaper, People’s Democracy, the CPIM asserted that Singh has been unreserved in expressing his opposition towards the Kuki community. The party drew attention to remarks allegedly made by Singh, reflecting a “longstanding propaganda of the RSS about illegal immigrants flooding Assam and the North East.”
“Biren Singh’s role in inciting the ethnic violence is what Narendra Modi and the BJP are trying to hide,” the article claimed. The CPIM accused the central government of failing to intervene, despite awareness that the state administration, led by Singh, is compromised and incapable of maintaining impartiality.
“Biren Singh’s actions are reminiscent of how Narendra Modi handled the 2002 Gujarat riots when he was Chief Minister,” the piece continued. “Modi knows the underlying cause of Manipur’s present strife – divisive Hindutva politics in a state characterized by its ethnic diversity and sensitivity. Despite this, Modi, known for his authoritarian style, does not believe he is answerable to anyone, least of all parliament,” it added.
The editorial also touched upon the Supreme Court’s ruling last year, which vindicated 64 people, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 2002 Gujarat riots case, dismissing an appeal by the late Congress leader Ehsan Jafri’s wife, Zakia Jafri.
The CPIM editorial criticized the prime minister’s reaction to a video that went viral on social media, showing two women being paraded naked by armed men. According to the party, it took this horrific incident to finally compel the prime minister to speak. However, they criticized his response, saying he attempted to deflect and minimize the issue by discussing crimes against women in other states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Manipur.
The article concluded that the Opposition, comprised of 26 parties, including the CPIM, has filed a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, demanding the prime minister address the situation in Manipur in parliament. The motion has been accepted, but a date has not been set.