Stop using crime against women to...: Smriti Irani to Opposition on Manipur video

By India Today News Desk: Union minister Smriti Irani on Monday accused the Congress of politicising the Manipur viral video, saying the grand old party should "stop using crime against women as instruments to settle political scores".

Addressing a press conference, Smriti Irani said, "I want to appeal that stop using crime against women as instruments to settle political scores. Congress is running away from discussion on Manipur as they know they will have to answer on crimes against women in their states."

Smriti Irani accused the Congress of repeatedly obstructing parliamentary sessions to avoid discussing the Manipur viral video incident, in which two women were seen being paraded naked. She asserted that the grand old party was evading discussion and avoiding accountability for crimes against women in their respective states.

ALSO READ | AAP MP Sanjay Singh suspended from Rajya Sabha for entire Monsoon session

"Home Minister Amit Shah today, in Lok Sabha, appealed to all members of opposition to initiate a debate on the Manipur issue. Amit Shah has repeatedly said that in both Houses of Parliament, he as Minister of Home Affairs, would like to bring certain facts to light that the discussion is important from the aspect of internal and external security of the country," she said.

Furthermore, Smriti Irani also asked BJP workers to assure the nation that Home Minister Amit Shah is ready to discuss the Manipur issue in both houses of Parliament. "The pertinent question arises as to why the opposition is shying away from deliberating on the events related to Manipur," she said.

Smriti Irani's remarks came after hours after Rajya Sabha proceedings were rocked by the opposition uproar over Manipur violence. Many opposition members were on their feet and shouted "Manipur, Manipur" following which the deputy chairman adjourned the House for the day.

ALSO READ | Internet ban cripples Manipur for 80 days: No online classes, e-transactions

Meanwhile, the Congress termed Amit Shah's assertion that the government was ready for a discussion on Manipur in Parliament as "a desperate bid to manage headlines".

However, several opposition leaders reiterated their demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue.

Amit Shah said he was willing to hold a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the situation in Manipur and wondered why the opposition was not ready for it.

Speaking briefly in Lok Sabha earlier in the day, the Home Minister requested opposition leaders to allow debate, saying it was important for truth to come out before the country on the Manipur issue.

ALSO READ | 7 Kuki women raped, claim Manipur groups, Biren Singh says just 1 sex assault case

"In a desperate bid to manage headlines, the Home Minister today said that the Modi government is ready for a discussion on Manipur in Parliament. He is not doing anybody any special favour," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said.

The opposition wants a debate allowing all parties to speak without any time restrictions and has been holding protests on the issue since the Monsoon session of Parliament started last week.

The government, on the other hand, has accused the opposition members of running away from a debate on the "all-important" issue and has questioned their seriousness towards it.

ALSO READ | 41 Meiteis reach Assam from Mizoram after threat over Manipur video

ALSO READ | Anurag Thakur's 'folded hands' appeal to Opposition amid Parliament deadlock