O Joy lambasts Shinde : 'Indigenous people cannot be eliminated on constitutional grounds'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 26 2012:
Veteran politician Okram Joy of Manipur People's Party (MPP) has reacted strongly against what he described as the contemptuous and contumacious statement of Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde over the Private Member Resolution passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly in connection with implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state.
Addressing a press conference in the office of MPP here today, ex-MLA O Joy said that the statement of the Union Home Minister -"Our Constitution will not allow such things.
Any sensible person who believes in the Constitution will not pass such a Private Member Resolution"- which was published in The Telegraph on its Sep 12, 2012 edition is quite unfortunate and condemnable as it casts a serious aspersion not only on the image of Manipur Legislative Assembly but also lowers down its dignity.
Thus, it amounts to disrespect to the entire people of the state who elect their representatives to the state Assembly.
Apart from the question of 'Constitutionality or Merits' of the resolution, the statement also attacks on the authority and dignity of the House and the parliamentary practice and procedures followed by the Legislative Bodies in India, O Joy contended, adding "His (Sushil Kumar Shinde) statement is contemptuous and contumacious to the Manipur Legislative Assembly" .
Quoting references from the book written by Kaul and Shakdher on Practice and Procedure of Parliament, O Joy read out "It is a breach of privilege and contempt of the House to make speeches, or to print or publish any libels reflecting on the character or proceedings of the House or its Committees, or on any member of the House for or relating to his character or conduct as a MP" .
O Joy further said that the statement of Union Home Minister also needs to be condemned by all the MPs of the state in the strongest term.
No one cannot just eliminate the indigenous people of Manipur all because the protection of indigenous people is against the Constitution, O Joy observed, while pointing out that Constitution can be amended if the need arises.
He also pointed out that every citizen of India has got the right to settle in any part of the country.
However, if a large number of people from outside the state come to settle in a small state like Manipur, the indigenous people would ultimately be ceased to exist.