Manipur violence: Opposition and centre clash over Parliament rules 267 and 176

New Delhi, July 21: The ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament witnessed another day of tumult as the horrific video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur sparked heated debates between the Opposition and the Centre. Opposition parties demanded the suspension of all other business for the day to address the Manipur issue, while the government agreed only to a "short duration discussion." The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha were adjourned for the day amid loud protests from the Opposition on the same matter.

As the Lok Sabha convened, members of various opposition parties, including Congress, DMK, and Left, expressed their concern by raising slogans, urging Speaker Om Birla to address the dire situation in Manipur. Speaker Birla emphasised that dialogue and discussions, not sloganeering, were essential to finding a solution.

In the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were adjourned till 2:30 pm as Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien sought to raise a point of order over the expunging of certain words from the House proceedings on the previous day. However, the upper house was later adjourned for the day, mere minutes after resuming business.

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The Opposition is pushing for a longer discussion under Rule 267, while the Centre is inclined towards Rule 176. Junior Parliamentary Affairs Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal accused the Opposition of deliberately avoiding a discussion on Manipur and accused them of continuously changing their stand. The Centre maintained that it is ready to discuss Manipur, and Home Minister will address the issue.

Rule 267 grants a Rajya Sabha MP the special power to suspend the pre-decided agenda of the House with the Chairman's approval. However, Rule 176 allows for a short-duration discussion, not exceeding two-and-a-half hours, on a specific issue. Despite the Opposition's demand, motions moved under Rule 267, labeled as a mechanism of causing disruption by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, have rarely been accepted in recent history.

As the political storm continues, the Manipur issue remains a contentious point of discussion in Parliament. The government's insistence on Rule 176 can be seen as an attempt to contain the situation and avoid further escalation. However, the Opposition alliance, INDIA, expects a comprehensive statement from the Prime Minister addressing not only the immediate incident but the 80-day violence witnessed in Manipur. The situation remains highly sensitive, and the call for a productive dialogue and a comprehensive resolution remains crucial in restoring peace and harmony in Manipur.

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