The European Parliament’s resolution on Manipur urged the Indian authorities to take swift measures to stop ethnic and religious violence and to “protect all religious minorities”.
The resolution entitled ‘India, the situation in Manipur’ was put forward by Pierre Larrouturou, Member of the European Parliament (MEP). The press statement from the Parliament read, “ …Parliament strongly urges the Indian authorities to put in place all necessary measures to promptly halt the ethnic and religious violence and to protect all religious minorities.”
India slams European Parliament’s resolution, calls it interference in internal affairs
India came down heavily on the European Parliament’s resolution and Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that “such interference in India’s internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset”.
Bagchi added that the Indian authorities, including the state and the central government as well as the judiciary, took all possible steps to ensure that peace and harmony is restored in violence that hit Manipur.
Mincing no words to slam the European Parliament, Bagchi said, “The European parliament would be well advised to utilise its time more productively on its internal issues.”
What is noteworthy is that the resolution of the European Parliament came at a time when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was about to embark on a two day visit to France. on the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron as the Guest of Honour at the country’s Bastille Day Parade.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the concern of the European parliament was being addressed and it has been made clear to them that the Manipur issue was clearly India’s internal matter. Manipur was marred by violence on May 3, 2023. Thousands of people have been displaced and are presently residing in relief camps. The central and state governments had quickly swung into action to restore normalcy. It was alleged that Kukis from across the border had illegally entered the country and disrupted peace and harmony in the state.
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