Rajya Sabha Passes President’s Rule Resolution for Manipur After Marathon Midnight Session

In the early hours of Friday, the Rajya Sabha passed a statutory resolution approving President’s Rule in Manipur, capping a lengthy day of legislative debate.

At 2:36 am, Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved the resolution following more than 12 hours of discussion on The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The resolution received approval at 3:58 am after a debate involving 11 speakers, including Shah, who addressed the House.

This came a day after the Lok Sabha passed the same resolution at 2:40 am on Thursday. Shah had presented it in the Lok Sabha earlier at 2 am.

Opposition Request Denied

On Thursday evening, during the Waqf Bill debate, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge requested the Chair to push the Manipur resolution discussion to the next day, noting the Waqf Bill would likely consume most of the night.

The Chair declined, citing that Manipur’s issue was already listed on the day’s agenda.

When additional opposition members echoed Kharge’s plea, Shah remarked, “Manipur is an important issue. Why don’t you work till late night for once tonight?”

Kharge Demands Accountability

Opening the debate, Kharge questioned the Prime Minister’s absence from Manipur over the past two years and demanded a white paper on the ethnic conflict.

“I demand an inquiry and a white paper to be presented in the House. Everybody will then know what is happening in the state….BJP has no plan in place to restore peace. They have allowed conflict to deepen.”

He accused the government of experimenting in Manipur instead of addressing the crisis.

On President’s Rule, he said, “The CM should have taken responsibility and resigned. BJP was working to save the CM and not Manipur. The President’s Rule has not been imposed to save Manipur but to save the party’s prospects there.”

Shah Defends Government’s Actions

Responding to the criticism, Shah stated the resolution came late in the session as the government was actively holding talks with both sides in the conflict.

“While the House was in session, two talks have already been held. We are confident that a joint meeting with both groups will soon be held in New Delhi,” he said.

Shah dismissed claims that the move stemmed from a law and order failure. “There was no violence in November, December, and even until now. The CM had resigned which paved the way for President’s Rule. The claims that Congress was set to bring a no-confidence motion is incorrect. They did not have the numbers,” he added.

He stressed that the Governor consulted all parties, and no MLAs came forward to stake claim, leading to the imposition of President’s Rule.

Clarification on Ethnic Conflict

When asked whether the government had a deadline for restoring peace like it had in other regions, Shah said, “There is a difference between Naxalism and ethnic violence. Let me clarify what is happening in Manipur. It is not terrorism or communal clashes. Tackling ethnic clashes is different.”

He noted that such conflicts in Manipur have lasted anywhere between seven months and ten years, and previous Prime Ministers had also not visited during past crises.

Trinamool Criticizes Timing of Discussion

Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien criticized the timing of the resolution’s presentation.

“On the last day of the Parliament, you move the resolution. Why did you not bring it in the morning? What is Manipur’s fault? They are Indian citizens… Look at Manipur in the eye and talk to Manipur,” he said, highlighting the lack of visibility by discussing such a crucial issue at 3 am.

Shah Counters West Bengal Criticism

Shah responded by pointing to the situation in West Bengal. “Yes there were crimes against women. But it was ethnic in Manipur between two groups. What happened in Bengal was not ethnic clashes. What happened in Sandeshkhali? For years, women were subjected to harassment there and your government did nothing.”

He asserted that BJP never politicized Manipur’s past ethnic conflicts, unlike the opposition today.

Background: Why President’s Rule Was Imposed

President’s Rule in Manipur was declared on February 13, four days after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on February 9, amid ongoing ethnic unrest that began in May 2023. The violence had left at least 260 dead and 50,000 displaced.

The Manipur Assembly remains in suspended animation, meaning it is not dissolved, and MLAs retain their seats. This provision allows the majority party a future opportunity to form government within the same assembly setup.