Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has raised concerns over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from Manipur, even as a delegation of Supreme Court judges visited the violence-hit state. Speaking to the media on March 22, 2025, Ramesh welcomed the judges’ visit but questioned why the Prime Minister has not yet addressed the ongoing crisis in person.
The delegation, comprising six Supreme Court judges, including Justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant, visited relief camps in Churachandpur to assess the situation. The state has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023, resulting in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of over 60,000 people.
Ramesh criticized the delay in imposing President’s Rule in Manipur, despite the Supreme Court’s acknowledgment in August 2023 of a “complete collapse of the constitutional system” in the state. He also took aim at Home Minister Amit Shah for not addressing the Manipur crisis during his recent parliamentary speech, despite dedicating four hours to discussing the Ministry of Home Affairs’ work.
The Congress leader urged PM Modi to visit Manipur, suggesting that the Prime Minister could make time during his upcoming trip to Bangkok for the BIMSTEC Summit. “The Prime Minister’s visit is crucial for a healing touch,” Ramesh stated, emphasizing the need for direct engagement to restore peace and trust in the region.
The situation in Manipur remains tense, with the central government’s response under scrutiny. The visit by Supreme Court judges has been seen as a step towards addressing the crisis, but calls for greater political accountability continue to grow.
