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‘Spirit being enforced, if not the letter’: Congress' Jairam Ramesh on Article 355 in Manipur
It is to be noted that the Centre is yet to issue a formal notification promulgating Article 355 in the violence-hit state.
Questioning the absence of a formal notification regarding the ‘imposition’ of Article 355 in violence-hit Manipur, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday remarked that the ‘spirit’ of Article 355 was being enforced, if not the letter.
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“What exactly is going on in regard to the imposition of Article 355 of the Constitution in Manipur? Senior state officials say it has been invoked but the Modi govt has NOT issued any notification to this effect. But its actions certainly seem to indicate that the spirit of Article 355 is being enforced if not the letter,” Ramesh posted in a tweet.
Attacking the BJP-led ‘double-engine’ governments at the Centre and of Manipur– the latter was re-elected in March last year with N Biren Singh retaining his chief ministership – Ramesh said people of the northeastern state were suffering, regardless of the community they belong to.
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The Congress general secretary in-charge of communications also took on prime minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah.
“Meanwhile, the Prime Minister continues to be silent and has moved on to start campaigning for the next round of state elections in November 2023. The Union Home Minister has not deemed it fit to visit the state and assess the situation,” Ramesh said.
Article 355 in Manipur
On May 5, a day after the violence began, the Centre ‘invoked’ Article 355 of the Constitution in Manipur, reports said, quoting senior police officials. It must be noted, however, that a formal notification regarding the enforcement is yet to be issued.
On the other hand, former CRPF DG Kuldiep Singh, sent to Manipur by the Modi regime to assist the N Biren Singh government, denied its implementation.
What is Article 355?
It states that it shall be the duty of the Union of India to ‘protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance, and to ensure that the government of each state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.’
Manipur violence
Clashes broke out between the tribal Kuki and non-tribal Meitie people over a high court proposal calling for the inclusion of the Meities – who constitute 53% of the state's population – to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, with the Kukis opposing the proposal.
After the violence escalated, central troops were rushed to bring the situation under control. According to official estimates, at least 60 people have lost their lives, with several injured.
