HT Correspondent
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MARGHERITA, July 20: Ranjan Chowdhury, a veteran social and political activist from Tinsukia, has expressed deep concern over the recent viral video and news regarding Manipur. The video depicted the horrifying incident of two women being paraded naked by a mob in the violence-hit state on May 4, 2023, and later gang-raped in broad daylight, raising questions about the state of law and order in the region.
Chowdhury criticised the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this grave issue and pointed out that even when women wrestlers raised their voices against sexual harassment by WFI president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the government failed to take appropriate action. He further highlighted that opposition parties are prepared to question the government, particularly on the Manipur issue, in the current parliamentary session.
After facing national and international pressure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally spoke about the incident, acknowledging that it had “shamed India”. However, Chowdhury pointed out that this response came only after protests during Modi’s foreign visit, where he was confronted with demonstrations against Manipur’s communal violence. He also highlighted the suspicious timing of the Manipur police’s sudden efficiency in filing false FIRs against prominent women leaders from NFIW (National Federation of Indian Women), namely Annie Raja, Nisha Siddhu, and Deeksha Duivedi, who had visited Manipur to assess the situation.
Chowdhury highlighted the distressing reality of women’s bodies becoming targets during communal riots and conflicts, with rape and sexual harassment being used as tools of violence to punish them. He criticised the lack of action from the ministry of Women’s Rights and Welfare and the Commission for SC and ST, stating that there is no justification for running these departments if they fail to protect women’s rights.
In response to the situation, Chowdhury appealed for the imposition of President’s rule without further delay and called for an impartial inquiry to be conducted under the supervision of a sitting judge from the Supreme Court of India. This, he believes, is necessary to ensure justice for the victims and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
