Jairam Ramesh questions Modi’s “3-hour” Manipur trip, saying it shows “callousness” towards victims of violence and displacement. At the same time, Gaurav Gogoi demands PM Modi apologise to Manipur for staying away two years while communities suffered death, fear and dislocation.
By PC Bureau
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to Manipur on September 13, the Congress has launched a sharp attack, calling the trip a “non-visit” and an “insult” to residents who have awaited his arrival for over two years.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the significance of the visit, highlighting reports that the Prime Minister may spend only about three hours in the violence-hit state.
“The proposed visit of the Prime Minister to Manipur on Sept 13 is being hailed by his cheerleaders. But it appears that he will be spending just about 3 hours—yes just 3 hours—in the state. What does he hope to accomplish by such a rushed trip?” Ramesh said on X.
He added that the short duration amounted to “an insult to the people of the state who have waited for him for 29 long and agonising months,” accusing Modi of showing “callousness and insensitivity towards the people of Manipur.”
Echoing the criticism, senior Congress leader and Assam Pradesh Congress president Gaurav Gogoi said Modi’s visit should have taken place “two years ago.”
The proposed visit of the Prime Minister to Manipur on Sept 13 is being hailed by his cheerleaders.
But it appears that he will be spending just about 3 hours–yes just 3 hours–in the state. What does he hope to accomplish by such a rushed trip? This is actually an insult to… pic.twitter.com/Yvbd5MXH8q
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 7, 2025
“As they say that justice delayed is justice denied, people of Manipur have been denied of the PM’s visit for far too long,” he said. Gogoi added that the Prime Minister’s first act upon arrival should be to “apologise to the people of Manipur for not showing up for the last two years.”
READ: Can PM Modi Speak of Peace in Manipur Without Action Against This One Man?
The visit, if confirmed, will be Modi’s first since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023 between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The conflict has claimed over 260 lives, displaced thousands, and torn apart the state’s social fabric.
The Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned earlier this year. While the assembly remains under suspended animation until 2027, normalcy has remained elusive.
Congress has consistently criticised the Prime Minister’s prolonged absence, describing his proposed trip as “too little, too late.” On September 2, Jairam Ramesh had remarked that Modi may have finally “summoned up the courage and empathy” to visit Manipur, but stressed that the delay had already deepened the tragedy. He cited the Supreme Court’s August 2023 observation of an “absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery” in the state, arguing that Modi’s silence only emboldened misgovernance.
Ramesh also accused the Prime Minister of indifference, pointing out that Modi did not even condole the passing of legendary Manipuri cultural icon Ratan Thiyam in July 2025, while finding time for global travel and visits to other northeastern states.
