Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Manipur's political atmosphere turned volatile this week. Rival protests erupted in Imphal as the BJP and Congress traded barbs over the ongoing NEET examination controversy. Tensions hit a breaking point on Wednesday.
The trouble started in New Delhi. Police detained Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. They were protesting outside the Prime Minister’s residence. The group demanded action over alleged NEET paper leaks and police handling of student demonstrators. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also detained.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh lashed out at the Congress. He accused them of stalling Parliament. He claimed the government offered a full discussion on the exam row. The opposition refused to engage. Singh slammed the protest tactics, stating, "India's youth deserve solutions, certainty, and responsible leadership, not political theatrics."
On Wednesday, the BJP Manipur Pradesh held a rally at their Thambal Shanglen headquarters. Led by Khemchand Singh, party members marched toward the Congress Bhawan. They carried signs reading Stop Sponsored Anarchy and Congress equals Anarchy. BJP secretary K. Sharat accused the opposition of using students to push a political agenda. He claimed the Congress functioned under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party. Sharat alleged these actions threaten India's stability, drawing comparisons to political unrest in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
The Congress hit back hard. The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee organized a march to the Raj Bhavan. Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh led the delegation. They submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The party demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They called for a formal parliamentary inquiry into paper leaks. Furthermore, they urged the Centre to withdraw FIRs against protesting students and prioritize peace in Manipur.
As the BJP rally passed the Congress office, activists from both sides shouted slogans. Police moved in to prevent violence. The standoff remains deadlocked. Both parties show no sign of backing down.
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