Rahul Gandhi Attacks BJP Over Manipur's Prolonged Turmoil

Addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu, Gandhi linked the ongoing unrest in Manipur to what he called the BJP’s centralising style of governance. His remarks came amid fresh tensions in Manipur following the killing of two children in Bishnupur that triggered protests and clashes.

BY PC Bureau

April 20, 2026: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a strong criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, holding the ruling party responsible for the prolonged ethnic violence and unrest in Manipur.

Addressing a public rally in Colachel, Kanyakumari district, Gandhi described Manipur as a once-peaceful state that the BJP had “set fire to,” resulting in hundreds of deaths and an ongoing situation he likened to a civil war.

“Look at what has happened in Manipur. A peaceful state. They set fire to it, and hundreds of people died. There’s a civil war still carrying on,” he said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of fresh tensions in Manipur triggered by the killing of a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister in a militant attack on April 7, 2026, in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai (also referred to as Leisakthol area) in Bishnupur district. The incident, allegedly involving a rocket or bomb attack on a Meitei family, sparked widespread protests in the Imphal Valley. Demonstrators blocked roads, held night marches, and clashed with security forces, who responded with tear gas and smoke shells. Internet services were suspended in several areas amid the unrest, and reports indicated additional deaths during the protests.

From Manipur to Tamil Nadu, the pattern is clear—power centralized, voices weakened. India must demand accountability.#NDAWaveinTN #DontFoolTNAgain https://t.co/mRdi9a6rKE pic.twitter.com/OvRSZfrLIt
— @Moini (@moini_565) April 20, 2026

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Gandhi further alleged that the violence in Manipur was part of a larger pattern under the BJP, which he accused of attempting to centralise power and “capture power and run states from Delhi.”

He extended his criticism to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu, claiming the once-powerful regional party had been reduced to a “hollow shell” and had “surrendered” to the BJP due to corruption.

“The AIADMK played a historic role in Tamil Nadu’s progress. Today, it is a hollow shell; its leadership has surrendered due to corruption,” Gandhi said.

Manipur PCC’s demands 👇👇
1. Complete the investigation into the killing of the two children at the earliest.
2. Curb violent activities and take strict action against those involved.
3. Restore and strengthen law and order in the state.
4. Stop all actions that undermine the… pic.twitter.com/KqLbTE3n2O
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 20, 2026

He also accused the BJP of trying to impose a singular cultural and linguistic identity across India’s diverse states.

“We believe every state should have its own voice. The BJP believes one tradition, one language, and one history should override all others,” he remarked. Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Colachel is part of the Congress and DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance’s campaign for the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 23, 2026. Vote counting is set for May 4, 2026.

Bimol Akoijam Attacks BJP

Meanwhile, Congress MP Bimol Akoijam also launched a sharp attack on the Centre over its handling of the Manipur crisis, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of maintaining silence over recent killings while pressing ahead in Parliament with legislation tied to delimitation.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Akoijam said the government had chosen to prioritise “a Bill in the name of women’s reservation” instead of responding to the continuing violence in Manipur, where tensions have escalated following fresh killings and unrest.

He alleged that the proposed delimitation exercise was being used to consolidate political power at the expense of smaller and marginalised states, particularly in the northeast. “We have fought back, and the Opposition has stopped what could have been the beginning of the end of the Indian Republic,” he said.

Akoijam also questioned the legality of “buffer zones” created in conflict-hit areas, arguing they had no Constitutional basis. He claimed he was prevented by security forces from visiting parts of his own constituency despite there being no legal prohibitory order in force, describing the move as unconstitutional.

Referring to the April 7 blast in Bishnupur district that killed two young children, Akoijam alleged serious administrative lapses, saying the attack took place within a buffer zone despite a police station and CRPF unit being located nearby. He claimed security forces failed to respond immediately and reached the area only hours later, calling it evidence of a careless official response.

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also placed a series of demands before the Centre, including completion of investigations into the children’s killings, action against those responsible for violence, restoration of law and order, and protection of citizens’ access to homes and essential services.

The party further sought publication of the findings of the inquiry into the May 3, 2023 violence, justice and compensation for victims, an economic package for those affected by the prolonged conflict, dialogue among stakeholders to restore normalcy, and deferment of the census until a legal framework distinguishing citizens from non-citizens is clarified.