KOLKATA: In a fiery and scathing attack against the central government, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), a prominent opposition party, has declared black the colour of protest.
TMC also said that the Opposition parties are using it as a symbol to express their discontent and concerns over the state of the Indian economy and rising unemployment.
Speaking to The New Indian, Dr Shantanu Sen, a Rajya Sabha MP from TMC, did not hold back as he voiced his grievances, stating, “At present, the Indian economy has reached its lowest point, and the distress of unemployment is palpable in every corner. I.N.D.I.A. is meant to be for the people, of the people, and by the people.”
Dr Sen emphasised the significance of the colour black, reiterating, “The BJP-led government is painting the country in darkness through its policies and actions.”
Drawing attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign visits, Dr Sen criticised the timing, questioning why the PM had time to visit the United States and Paris while Manipur faced unrest and turmoil. He accused the government of neglecting the urgent issues plaguing the state and its people.
In response to the Opposition’s show of solidarity by wearing black, the BJP-led centre labelled them as a hindrance to the country’s economic development. The opposition’s discontent with the nation’s growth apparently makes the government “unhappy”, further intensifying the political rift.
The ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament has been marred by pandemonium, with both houses witnessing heated debates and demands from the Opposition to address the Manipur unrest. The government’s silence on the matter led to a staged walkout by Opposition members in the upper house.
The MPs of I.N.D.I.A., an alliance of 26 opposition parties, expressed their support for the people of Manipur by wearing black, using it as a powerful symbol of protest against the atrocities committed against them. Yet, despite the mounting concerns, the Prime Minister’s silence on the matter remains conspicuous.
Just two days ago, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted the opposition’s no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister regarding the Manipur situation. The motion of no confidence, introduced only in the Lok Sabha, requires the support of at least 50 members of Parliament and marks the first such motion in 20 years.
Meanwhile, during a recent parliamentary party meeting, PM Modi did not hold back his own attack on the opposition, labelling them as “directionless” following the chaos in Parliament. He cited historical entities like the East India Company and the Indian Mujahideen to emphasise that merely adding ‘India’ to one’s name does not validate their intentions.
The Monsoon Session that started on July 20 continues to witness the tug-of-war between the central government and the opposition, overshadowing crucial legislative matters.
Meanwhile, Manipur’s turmoil, lasting for over 80 days, remains a pressing concern that demands immediate attention and resolution.