'Pit stop, tokenism, grave insult to people': Congress on PM Modi's Manipur visit

PM Modi in Manipur

The Congress on Saturday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Manipur as a mere “pit stop”, calling it an act of “tokenism” and a “grave insult” to the people of the violence-hit state.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that Modi had organised a grand welcome for himself, describing it as “a cruel prick” to the wounds of those still suffering.

“In the words of your own... Where is your Rajdharma?” Kharge asked on X ahead of Modi’s arrival in Manipur.

“Narendra Modi ji, your 3-hour pit stop in Manipur is not compassion -- it's farce, tokenism, and a grave insult to wounded people. Your so-called roadshow in Imphal and Churachandpur today, is nothing but a cowardly escape from hearing the cries of people in relief camps!” the Congress chief said in his post.

Citing the violence in the state, Kharge said, “864 days of violence:-- 300 lives lost, 67,000 displaced, 1,500 plus injured. You made 46 foreign trips since, but not a single visit to share two words of sympathy with your own citizens.”

He also recalled, “Your last visit to Manipur? January 2022 for elections! Your 'Double Engine' has bulldozed the innocent lives of Manipur. You and Home Minister Amit Shah's gross incompetence and complicity in betraying all communities was shielded from scrutiny, by imposing President's Rule in the state. Violence still continues.”

According to Kharge, the BJP was responsible for maintaining law and order in Manipur, but the Union government is now “dithering” as violence persists.

He further charged, “Not to forget, that is your government which is responsible for National Security and border patrol. This hush-hush pit stop isn't repentance. It's not even guilt. You are organising a grand welcome ceremony for yourself. It is a cruel prick to the wounds of those still suffering because of your own abdication of basic constitutional responsibilities!”

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, speaking to reporters in Wayanad, said the prime minister should have visited Manipur much earlier.

“I am glad that he has decided, after two years, that it is worth visiting (Manipur). He should have gone long before. It is very unfortunate that he has allowed what is happening there to continue for so long and for so many people to be killed. That has not been the tradition of prime ministers in India,” she remarked.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also criticised the visit, branding it a “belated, face-saving farce.”

“PM Modi's Manipur visit today is a display of how sorely lacking in empathy and compassion a leader can be,” he said, adding that the state has been “burning since 2023” and the PM chose to visit only after two and a half years.

“This visit too is a half-hearted measure, with him spending barely a few hours there, and is clubbed with a visit to Mizoram,” Venugopal posted on X.

He went on to say, “The Modi government has neither presented a solution to address the deep social rift that caused the civil war nor does it have the courage to bring warring groups together and make a genuine attempt at peace. Instead, he is treating this like any other PR event, treating his grand arrival as an occasion to celebrate. Such a tone deaf, insensitive and self-aggrandising stunt will be nothing but a mockery of the people of Manipur.”

“As this belated, face-saving farce takes place today, one is left to wonder whether those who peddle hate every single day can ever be messengers of peace,” he added.

Prime Minister Modi reached Manipur on Saturday afternoon, his first visit since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. During his stay, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 8,500 crore in the state.

The prime minister’s visit is part of a three-day tour covering Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar.

With inputs from PTI