New Delhi (Agency): On July 6, 2023, a clash of interests in the parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs led to a dramatic walkout by opposition members. These members were protesting the panel chairman’s refusal to allow a discussion about the ongoing crisis in Manipur, informed sources close to the matter.
During a scheduled committee session aimed at scrutinizing prison reforms in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, a unified voice arose from opposition members to pivot the conversation towards the issues plaguing Manipur. Key figures leading this push included TMC’s Derek O’Brien, along with Congress stalwarts Digvijaya Singh and Pradip Bhattacharya. They presented a collective plea to the committee chairman, Brijlal, asserting their duty as committee members to address the situation in Manipur with immediacy and seriousness.
Their joint letter indicated their belief that discussing the Manipur crisis was both a moral and constitutional obligation for the committee. Drawing on Brijlal’s background as a former senior police officer, they asserted, “Manipur needs healing and an end to the violence. We as elected representatives cannot look away.”
Despite a previous request last month for an urgent meeting to deliberate on Manipur’s situation, the committee chairman had rejected this proposal, leaving the opposition members feeling sidelined. Brijlal was quoted informing them that no discussion on Manipur would be entertained throughout July. This caused them to critique his evasion of responsibility and express their dissent through a walkout.
The sources added that the trio might abstain from the upcoming two committee meetings scheduled this month. Moreover, they implored BJP MP Biplab Deb, who hails from the Northeast, to join their protest and leave the meeting.
The conflict stemmed from the chairperson’s previous refusal to promptly address the situation in Manipur, insisting on the priority of planned meetings on prison reforms. The meeting saw a total of seven attendees, including the chairman. Gravely, the conflict in Manipur has seen nearly 120 fatalities and left more than 3,000 individuals wounded since May 3.