The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticised European Parliament's discussion on developments in Manipur and its resolution as "interference in India's internal affairs" which is "unacceptable". The response comes after a resolution on the Manipur situation was adopted in the Brussels-based European Union (EU) Parliament containing serious claims about what caused the clashes in the strife-torn state. In its resolution, the EU Parliament "strongly" urged the Indian authorities to put in place all necessary measures to "promptly halt the ethnic and religious violence and to protect all religious minorities."
"We have seen that the European Parliament held a discussion on developments in Manipur and adopted a so-called urgency resolution. Such interference in India's internal affairs is unacceptable and reflects a colonial mindset," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated.
The response added that Indian authorities at all levels, including the judiciary, "are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace and harmony and law and order." "The European Parliament would be well advised to utilise its time more productively on its internal issues," the MEA remarked.
EU Parliament Claims 'Intolerance Towards Minority Communities' Contributed To Violence In Manipur
In a statement pertaining to the discussion, the EU Parliament mentioned that the clashes since May 2023 have left "at least 120 people dead, 50 000 displaced and over 1 700 houses and 250 churches destroyed."
The resolution went on to claim that "intolerance towards minority communities has contributed to the current violence and that there have been concerns about politically motivated, divisive policies that promote Hindu majoritarianism in the area."
"The Manipur state government has also shut down internet connections and severely hindered reporting by the media, while security forces have been implicated in the recent killings, something that has further increased distrust in the authorities," read a transcript of the resolution on EU Parliament's website.
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Ahead of the EU parliament debate, India objected to the discussion stating that it has been made clear to the parliamentarians that this is a matter absolutely internal to the country. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said EU parliamentarians concerned are being reached out and it has been made clear to them that it is a matter absolutely internal to India.
This is a matter totally internal to India, Kwatra said, replying to a question on the matter at a press conference, as reported by news agency PTI. He said New Delhi is aware of what is happening at the EU parliament in Brussels. "We made a reach out to the concerned EU parliamentarians. But we made it very clear that this is a matter absolutely internal to India, he said. The opposition parties have been accusing the government of failing to contain the violence," the Foreign Secretary said, as per PTI.
Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between Kuki and Meitei communities for close to two months. As per PTI's report, over 150 people have been killed so far and several thousand injured since ethnic clashes broke out between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state on May 3.
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