Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla has expressed deep displeasure with both the government and the Opposition over the lack of functioning of the House. Birla told both sides that he will not come to Lok Sabha until MPs behave according to the dignity of the House, reported news agency ANI.
On Wednesday, when the proceedings of the House started, Birla did not come to the Speaker's seat. Lok Sabha proceedings started on a heated note on Wednesday and was adjourned shortly after proceedings began. As the House convened again at 2 PM, the situation was no different with Opposition MPs raising slogans over the Manipur issue. While the first session of Lok Sabha was chaired by Midhun Reddy, the second session was chaired by Kirit Premjibhai Solanki. The uproar eventually led to the adjournment of the House for the day.
Ever since Parliament's Monsoon session started on July 20, proceedings in both Houses have been hit due to ruckus by Opposition parties, who have remained steadfast over their demand for a statement by the Prime Minister. However, the ruling BJP has agreed to only a short-duration discussion on Manipur and a statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Opposition has now sought the President's intervention to establish peace and harmony in the state without any further delay.
A delegation of 31 Opposition leaders of INDIA bloc, led by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, met President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday over the situation Manipur and submitted a memorandum. Speaking after the meeting, Kharge said their main demand was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should visit Manipur and take steps towards restoring peace in the violence-hit state.
In their memorandum, the Opposition said, "Both the Union and state governments must fulfil their duty to provide justice to the affected communities. We implore you to press upon the PM to urgently address the Parliament on the prevailing situation in Manipur, followed by a detailed and comprehensive discussion on the matter."
The Manipur issue flared up after a video of two tribal women being paraded naked went viral last month. The state police have come under fire over a delay in registering an FIR. The delegation of 21 opposition MPs visited the violence-affected areas in Manipur and met people in relief camps in both the hills and the valley.