While the Monsoon Session of Parliament continues with debates on many national issues, the crisis in Manipur is barely being discussed.

The state of Manipur, located in northeast India, has been in serious condition for more than two years. The violence that began in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities still continues today in 2025. But while the violence grows worse and thousands of people suffer, there is hardly any serious discussion at the national level. The state is under President’s Rule, but the central government seems to be silent. The people of Manipur are left wondering, does anyone care?

A crisis ignored, or what?

Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, 2025, after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned suddenly. Normally, such a big change in any state would spark debate and action. But in the case of Manipur, even this major shift was met with silence. The Parliament has had many sessions, but there has been very little time or attention given to the people’s pain in Manipur.

From May 2023 onwards, when the Centre took control of the state’s law and order using Article 355, there were hopes that peace would return. Instead, the violence continued. Clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities have led to killings, destruction of homes, and displacement of thousands. Many people now live in relief camps under harsh conditions. Yet, even as the situation grows worse, no proper political solution has been offered.

Why is there no strong national conversation about Manipur’s crisis? Why does the government act quickly on issues in some states but not here? In the past, states like Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab saw the quick use of President’s Rule to control violence and unrest. But in Manipur, the delay in imposing it despite worsening violence suggests a different motive.

It looks like the central government wanted to avoid being blamed for the violence. For 20 months, the Biren Singh-led BJP government stayed in power while the Centre quietly managed security. This way, when things went wrong, it was the state BJP, not the Centre, that got the blame. When the situation became too bad to ignore, the Centre finally imposed President’s Rule, but the damage was already done.

While political strategies are being played, ordinary people continue to suffer. Families have lost homes. Children cannot go to school. Women and the elderly live in fear every day.

Even with the ongoing violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never visited Manipur since the conflict began. While he travels the world, meets leaders, and attends major events, his absence in Manipur sends a powerful message that the suffering of this state does not deserve his attention. As Gaurav Gogoi, Congress MP, rightly said, “The Prime Minister promised peace would return soon. That promise remains unfulfilled.”

The root of the conflict

The main cause of the violence is the Meitei community’s demand to be given Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. If accepted, this would give them special benefits in jobs, education, and land rights. The Meiteis, who live mostly in the Imphal Valley, are already politically powerful and make up 64% of the state’s population. They control 40 out of 60 Assembly seats.

On the other hand, the Kuki and Naga tribes live in the hilly areas that cover 90% of Manipur’s land but make up just 35% of the population. They fear that if Meiteis also get ST benefits, the already limited resources for tribal communities will shrink even further.

The conflict worsened after the Manipur High Court in April 2023 asked the state to consider the Meitei demand. This led to protests by tribal groups, which turned violent. Since then, Manipur has seen killings, arson, and growing hatred between communities.

Manipur is an important part of India, just like any other state. Its people deserve peace, justice, and development. Yet, national media rarely covers the daily violence. Parliament rarely discusses the crisis in detail. Leaders often avoid the topic. This lack of attention is heartbreaking for people in Manipur, who feel forgotten by the rest of the country.

Gaurav Gogoi raised this issue in the Lok Sabha and urged Prime Minister Modi to speak directly on Manipur’s situation during the monsoon session of Parliament. Will that happen? Or will Manipur continue to be treated like a distant, unimportant problem?

Parliament must hold serious debates on the crisis, and the Centre must create a clear plan to restore peace and rebuild communities.

The media must do better. National channels and newspapers should give more attention to the Northeast, especially when violence and suffering are happening on such a large scale.

Manipur is not just a state in the corner of India. It is a part of our nation and deserves the same care and concern as any other state. The violence, fear, and suffering of its people must not be ignored any longer. 

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