Political games take center stage as Manipur burns

Manipur’s escalating crisis, marked by ethnic violence and lawlessness since May 2023, has become a tragic stage for political posturing between India’s two major political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. As lives continue to be lost and communities suffer, the focus of political discourse seems to have shifted from finding solutions to exploiting the crisis for electoral gains.
The latest chapter in this unfortunate saga began with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s letter to President Droupadi Murmu. In the letter, Kharge criticized the BJP-led central and state governments for their “complete failure” to address the violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being conspicuously absent from the scene and described the situation as a result of “deliberate acts of omission and commission” by the BJP.
While Kharge’s letter might seem like a genuine plea for intervention, it is hard to ignore its political undertones. He highlighted Congress’s visits to the violence-hit state, including those by Rahul Gandhi and himself, to portray the party as a champion of the people. Instead of offering concrete solutions or fostering dialogue between warring communities, Kharge’s words appear aimed at discrediting the BJP and positioning Congress as the only political force capable of restoring order.
The BJP, predictably, retaliated with its own volley of accusations. BJP national president JP Nadda dismissed Kharge’s letter as “politically motivated” and accused Congress of having planted the seeds of Manipur’s instability during its time in power. Nadda pointed to alleged policy failures, including the supposed encouragement of illegal migration under the Congress regime, as contributing factors to the current crisis. By doing so, the BJP sought to deflect attention from its own shortcomings in managing the situation.
This exchange of blame highlights the entrenched nature of political opportunism in Indian governance. While both parties accuse each other of failures, neither has presented a comprehensive plan to address the complex socio-political realities fueling the conflict.
The violence in Manipur is not a new phenomenon. Decades of ethnic tensions, economic disparities, and political neglect have created a volatile environment. The recent unrest, triggered by disputes over land rights, political representation, and identity, requires nuanced handling that goes beyond deploying security forces or passing resolutions.
Yet, what is being witnessed is anything but nuance. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh raised valid questions about the Prime Minister’s absence from the state, the lack of a full-time Governor, and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s diminishing credibility among his own MLAs. However, these questions, though pertinent, were weaponized as part of a broader attack on the BJP rather than as a genuine attempt to foster accountability and transparency.
On the other hand, the BJP’s response—highlighting historical errors by Congress—fails to address why violence continues unabated under its watch. Over 5,000 Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed, but tensions remain high, and fresh incidents of violence, such as the killing of six civilians in Jiribam district earlier this month, only deepen the crisis.
Adding to the issue, a recent resolution passed by Manipur MLAs called for a mass operation against Kuki militants, the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in certain areas, and the transfer of key cases to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). These demands reflect the urgency of the situation but also underscore the lack of a unified approach among political leaders to address the root causes of the unrest.
Manipur’s crisis is a national tragedy, but it is being reduced to a political battleground. Instead of cooperating to restore peace, both the BJP and Congress seem intent on using the turmoil to score points ahead of elections. This approach not only deepens the mistrust among communities but also risks alienating the people of Manipur, who feel abandoned by their leaders.
The need of the hour is leadership that rises above partisanship. The Prime Minister, as the head of government, must demonstrate accountability by visiting Manipur, engaging with affected communities, and fostering dialogue among stakeholders. Congress, too, must move beyond criticism and offer constructive solutions, leveraging its influence to build consensus.
The Manipur crisis is not just a test of governance but a litmus test for India’s political maturity. If leaders continue to prioritize political mileage over the well-being of citizens, they risk setting a dangerous precedent for other regions grappling with similar issues. It is time for India’s political class to put the interests of the people above their own and work collectively to heal the wounds of Manipur.