Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, 17 August, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the unrest in Manipur, saying that the latter continues to "remain silent" over the months-long atrocities in the state.
Addressing the Delhi Legislative Assembly on the last day of the special session, Kejriwal said, "For 190 days after the Manipur incident, which resulted in 6500 FIRs being launched, PM Modi remained silent. Despite the burning of 4,000 houses, 60,000 people going homeless, and over 250 deaths, PM Modi remained silent."
Kejriwal said that while the Manipur unrest is painful, what is more painful is the BJP's "lack of interest" in the state.
He also said that the violence in Manipur was a topic of discussion even in foreign countries." This (the violence in Manipur) was a topic of discussion in the European Parliament and among American politicians, but the PM remained silent."
Sexual Assault Video
Kejriwal further said that when a horrific video went viral on social media showing two women being paraded naked in Manipur, the state's CM N Biren Singh stated that it was a "common occurrence".
Kejriwal said that he saw a video of a retired army officer, who used to idolise PM Modi, crying after the Manipur sexual assault video came to light. "In the video, the officer said 'I didn't think, PM ji, you would betray us like this. I didn't think you would backstab us. I didn't think you would leave us like this,'" Kejriwal added.
Further, he commented on the BJP's statement that the Prime Minister visited the Northeast 50 times over the last few years.
"But if relatives don’t come during times of trouble, how will it feel? Why does the Prime Minister always sit in his room during a crisis? The entire nation is stunned and seeking answers from him," Kejriwal said.
Further, he said that this is not the first time in the last nine years that PM Modi has become silent while facing troubles. He alleged that "the Prime Minister had locked himself in his room in silence".
Wrestlers' Protest
Kejriwal further mentioned that PM Modi took pictures with wrestlers when they won medals, but did not intervene in the protests of women wrestlers, alleging sexual harassment by BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
“At least the Prime Minister could have reassured them (protesting wrestlers) by asking them not to worry as he was with them and that action will be taken against the accused. But he didn’t.”Arvind Kejriwal
China Border Issue
Kejriwal also said that the Prime Minister knows that China has been "observing us" for nine years, but continues to remain silent over the issue.
“Not a single word against China is coming out of the Prime Minister’s mouth. In June 2020, 20 of our soldiers were killed by Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. They captured a 2,000 sq km area (in India). The PM remained quiet. He hasn’t said anything.”Arvind Kejriwal
Kejriwal said that PM Modi has been accused of focusing on business and not protecting the country's defense. He criticised the Prime Minister's actions, stating that he wanted to see a PM who defended India's interests rather than merely hold hands with the Chinese President. Kejriwal also criticised External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for comparing India to China, arguing that small economies don't fight with big ones.
He also slammed the BJP for insulting former PM Jawaharlal Nehru, "who confronted China".
Kejriwal also alleged that the BJP acted in a favourable way towards accused businessmen Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi, and Mehul Choksi.
“In last nine years, BJP has waived off the loans of Rs 13 lakh crore rupees of a few businessmen. They allowed Nirav Modi to flee abroad. Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya fled from the country. LOC notices were issued against Manish Sisodia, but no lookout notice was issued against Nirav Modi,” the Delhi CM said.
Kejriwal said the people of the nation want the PM to take action to ensure the nation's well-being and address concerns about the Hindenburg scandal.
Kejriwal also questioned why the PM doesn't imprison 16,000 willful defaulters in Lakhimpur Kheri, "despite a Union Minister's son driving a jeep over farmers during a farmer protest".
“Do our farmers hold no significance for the PM? On September 14, 2020, in Hathras, four boys gang-raped a Dalit girl, and the PM was quiet. PM was quiet on Nuh Violence, he didn’t utter a word on the CAG report.”Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Concluding his speech at the Delhi Assembly, CM Kejriwal urged the Prime Minister to address the Manipur issue along with other issues facing the country.
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