A midnight parliamentary debate on Manipur has sparked anger, with opposition leaders and social media users questioning why such a sensitive issue was addressed in secrecy. The timing of the discussion, following a 14-hour debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill, has raised serious concerns about transparency.
BY PC Bureau
The central government is facing severe backlash for tabling the resolution to ratify the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur well past midnight, a move critics say was designed to stifle debate on a highly sensitive issue.
The resolution was taken up at 2 AM, when most of the country was asleep, leaving little time for a thorough discussion. Only eight opposition MPs were able to make brief, hurried speeches within a 30-minute window before the motion was passed.
Opposition Questions Timing, Calls it an Affront to Democracy
DMK MP Kanimozhi strongly criticized the government’s decision to discuss the Manipur crisis at an odd hour, calling it a display of indifference toward the suffering people of the state.
“The opposition parties have repeatedly requested a discussion on Manipur in the House. But today, you have chosen to take it up after 2 AM, in the middle of the night. This shows exactly how much regard you have for the people suffering in Manipur,” she said.
As the news spread, social media erupted with outrage, condemning the government’s handling of the debate.
Social Media Backlash: ‘What is the Government Hiding?’
Unprecedented and Unacceptable!
The government has moved a statutory resolution on proclaimation of President’s Rule in Manipur at 2 am; a move that raises serious concerns about transparency and democratic accountability.
Since the violence erupted in May 2023, Manipur has… pic.twitter.com/6FBPl0x1zJ
— Achal Shah (@achalshah06) April 2, 2025
ALSO READ: Waqf Amendment Bill Clears Lok Sabha Amidst Heated Debate
On X (formerly Twitter), user @Achalshah06 raised concerns about the lack of transparency, stating:
“The government moved a statutory resolution to impose President’s Rule in Manipur at 2 AM—a move that raises serious concerns about democratic accountability. Since the violence began in May 2023, over 260 people have died, hundreds of sexual violence cases have been reported, and 60,000 people have been displaced. Yet, instead of addressing this grave humanitarian crisis openly, the government pushed it through in the dead of night. This is a national issue. When will Manipur’s people be heard?”
Another user, @maadhyam, slammed the midnight debate, calling it “outrageous”:
“Absolutely outrageous that the government has taken up the statutory resolution for President’s Rule in Manipur in #LokSabha at 2 AM. Not only did they wait till the end of the Budget Session to bring it up, but they also scheduled it after a 14+ hour debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill. Why? What is there to hide?”
The user also criticized Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for justifying the move, quoting him as saying, “Since we are already sitting late, let’s pass this also.”
ALSO READ: Situation Under Control but Not Satisfactory, Amit Shah on Manipur Prez Rule
“Taking Parliament’s approval for President’s Rule in Manipur so casually? Opposition MPs objected, but the Speaker insisted that the resolution be taken up immediately. MPs were forced to rush their speeches. Is this democracy?”
Journalists, Public Figures Call the Move ‘Unprecedented’
Journalist Tamal Saha (@Tamal0401) called the move unprecedented, questioning why the government refused to discuss such a serious issue during the day.
“The government moved the resolution to impose President’s Rule in Manipur at 2 AM, after passing the #WaqfAmendmentBill. The resolution was imposed on February 13 and needed parliamentary approval within two months. The opposition urged the Speaker to take it up in the morning, considering the gravity of the situation. But the Speaker insisted on a middle-of-the-night debate after Amit Shah moved the resolution. UNPRECEDENTED!”
इतनी रात में मणिपुर की चिंता? वाह भाई वाह
Statutory Resolution for consideration on the Proclamation issued by the President on the 13th February, 2025 under the article 356 (1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Manipur’ taken up in Lok Sabha.#मणिपुर #अमितशाह pic.twitter.com/9xE73pyLfB— Ashutosh Kumar Pandey (@ashutoshp02) April 2, 2025
Another user, @Kishan_Janasena, mocked the government’s handling of the crisis, writing:
“Crazy AF! The government introduced a Statutory Resolution to impose President’s Rule in Manipur in Lok Sabha at 2:00 AM! By the time this resolution is passed, Manipur may even see sunrise within an hour. LOLL!”
Concerns Over Lack of Public Scrutiny
The opposition and critics argue that by pushing the resolution through at an odd hour, the government deliberately avoided public scrutiny and deeper parliamentary debate on the crisis in Manipur. With over 260 deaths, ethnic tensions, and thousands displaced, many believe this issue deserved a prime-time discussion rather than a midnight clearance.
As the backlash grows, questions remain: Why did the government wait until 2 AM? What was the urgency? And most importantly, what does this say about the transparency of parliamentary proceedings?
