EU Parl shows concern where PM Modi failed

NT Correspondent

New Delhi/Paris: During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to France, the European Parliament (EP) has urged the Indian government to take immediate action to halt the violence in Manipur and safeguard the rights of religious minorities, particularly Christians.

Following a thorough discussion on the matter, the resolution was passed with a show of hands on Thursday by MEPs (Members of the European Parliament).

PM Modi hasn't spoken about Manipur violence nor tweeted about it yet, for which the Indian Congress party called it 'shockingly bizarre'.

However, India has responded to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament asking India to "do everything in its power" to end violence in Manipur.

"Such interference in India's internal affairs is unacceptable and reflects a colonial mindset," Centre said.

"Indian authorities...are taking steps to maintain...law and order," it said.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes between the Kuki and majority Meitei communities since May 3. Widespread incidents of violence and arson continue to deepen the crisis in the state. Over 140 people have been killed and nearly 60,000 have been forced to flee their homes.

The five leading parliamentary factions behind the resolution include the Left Greens-European Free Alliance, the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), the centre-left Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the liberal Renew group, and the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group. Collectively, these factions represent approximately 80% of the parliament's members, which amounts to a substantial majority.

The European Parliament also noted the violence had been instigated by “politically motivated, divisive policies promoting Hindu majoritarianism”, as well as, increased activity by militant groups.

During the debate, MPs expressed their concerns not only about Manipur and its minorities, but about India as a whole. It observed that “accounts of partisan involvement by security forces in the killings have increased distrust in the authorities”.

The resolution called on India to “take all necessary measures and make the utmost effort to promptly halt the ongoing ethnic and religious violence, to protect all religious minorities, such as Manipur’s Christian community, and to pre-empt any further escalation”.

Speaking on behalf of the ECR group, Bert-Jan Ruissen asserted, “Our joint resolution is crystal clear – we are calling on India to do everything within its power to end ethnic and religious violence, to punish perpetrators, and end Hindu extremism. Without ironclad guarantees in this area, we cannot talk about a new trade agreement with India”.

One MEP, Pierre Larratourou criticised Mr Modi and the government’s policies since 2014. “They must accept that democratic functioning no longer criminalizes anyone who criticizes government policies,” he said.

“We call on the most populous democracy to do what it is constitutionally required to do, which is to uphold freedom of religion – including for Christians in Manipur,” he added.

'India promoting Hindu majoritarianism'

The resolution highlighted the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’s concern in October 2020 in which it had urged the Indian government to safeguard the rights of human rights defenders, shrinking space for civil society and the accusations made by human rights organisations against the BJP of “divisive ethnonationalistic policies."