Dr Bimol slams postmidnight debate on PR in state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 05 2025: "A crucial issue was brought up in Lok Sabha past midnight at 2 am...and it ended within barely 45 minutes!" wrote Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, sharply criticising the way the discussion on the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur was handled in Parliament.

In a series of posts on X, the Congress MP expressed outrage over the late-night debate, comparing it to colonial-era decisions made without the knowledge of the people.

"Where does Manipur stand in this country?" he asked, as none of the three MPs from the violence-hit state were allowed to speak during the brief debate.

The statutory resolution, moved by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, came after an exhaustive 14-hour debate on the Wakf (Amendment) Bill 2025 that stretched through the day and ended only past midnight.

Shah introduced the resolution to approve the proclamation of President's Rule in Manipur, and the House discussed and passed it within about 40 minutes, with only eight opposition MPs speaking before Shah's reply and the final voice vote.

Dr Bimol Akoijam, in a post on X on April 5, condemned the session's timing and the lack of opportunity for the three MPs from Manipur.

"A crucial issue was brought up in Lok Sabha past midnight at 2 am relating to the 22 months old crisis in Manipur...it ended within 45 minutes!" he wrote.

"Out of 793 members, there are three MPs from Manipur in the Parliament...who didn't get the opportunity to speak on a matter that pertains to their state during the discussion! Where does Manipur stand in this country?" .

Earlier on April 3, Dr Bimol wrote on X: "Following the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, the British Parliament deliberated on the fate of Manipur...the defeated people were oblivious of those deliberations...It's past midnight, 2 am, a deliberation starts in the Parliament on the taking over of the administration of the state by the Union Government while miles away while the people in that forsaken state are in deep sleep tonight! It's nauseating!" Rajya Sabha also took up the resolution the next day, around 3 am, continuing the government's move under unusual hours.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who participated in the debate, also took to X saying, "Had the unusual experience last night of making a speech at 2 am - and that too in Parliament!" .

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