Why Is PM Modi Scared to Visit Manipur? Opposition Slams PM’s Absence Amid Ongoing Crisis
Imphal, August 30, 2025, 5:55 PM IST – As ethnic violence in Manipur continues to simmer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s persistent refusal to visit the strife-torn northeastern state has ignited fierce political debate and public outrage. More than two years since the deadly clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted on May 3, 2023, leaving over 221 dead and 50,000 displaced, opposition leaders, activists, and Manipuri citizens are questioning why the Prime Minister has not set foot in the state, despite his frequent domestic and international travels. The Congress party, leading the charge, has accused Modi of being “scared” to face the people of Manipur, alleging his silence and absence reflect a deliberate avoidance of accountability for what they term the “gross mismanagement” of the crisis. As the state remains divided along ethnic lines, the question looms: Is Modi’s reluctance driven by political strategy, fear of backlash, or an inability to resolve a complex conflict?
The Manipur Crisis: A State in Turmoil
The violence in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, triggered by a Manipur High Court ruling recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the majority Meitei community, a move opposed by the Kuki and Naga communities. Although the ruling was revoked, it sparked ethnic clashes that escalated into what many describe as a “near civil war.” Over 250 churches have been torched, thousands of homes vandalized, and state armories looted, with the Indian Army deployed under shoot-on-sight orders. The conflict has claimed at least 226 lives, displaced over 50,000 people, and created a de facto division between the Meitei-dominated valleys and Kuki-dominated hills, with internet restrictions and curfews further disrupting normalcy.
The opposition, particularly the Congress-led INDIA bloc, has repeatedly highlighted the government’s failure to restore peace. A particularly shocking incident on May 4, 2023, where Kuki women were paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a Meitei mob, drew global condemnation and forced Modi to break his silence briefly, calling it “shameful” on July 20, 2023. However, his refusal to visit Manipur or engage directly with its people has fueled accusations of indifference. “Manipur is burning, and the Prime Minister is hiding behind his subordinates,” tweeted Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal in July 2023, a sentiment echoed in recent protests.
Opposition’s Charge: Fear or Political Calculus?
The Congress has been relentless in its criticism, with leaders like Jairam Ramesh and Rahul Gandhi accusing Modi of being “scared” to confront the crisis on the ground. On August 29, 2025, Ramesh posted on X, “While the PM jets to Japan and China, Manipur remains abandoned. Why is he steadfastly refusing to visit a state torn apart since May 2023?” During a public rally in Mizoram in October 2023, Gandhi remarked, “It’s amazing that the PM is so interested in Israel but not at all in Manipur,” highlighting Modi’s absence amid his global engagements. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, in a 2023 Lok Sabha debate, questioned why Modi had not followed the example of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who visited Gujarat post-2002 riots.
The opposition argues that Modi fears direct accountability. “Parliament is dysfunctional because the Prime Minister is scared of facing questions,” Venugopal claimed in 2023, pointing to Modi’s reluctance to address Manipur in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Congress alleges that the BJP’s “gross mismanagement” at both the central and state levels, particularly under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, has exacerbated the crisis. The party has demanded Singh’s resignation, citing his exclusion from key security meetings and allegations of authorizing excessive force, including the use of “bombs” against civilians, in defiance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Modi’s Defense: Action Through Proxies?
The BJP and its allies have pushed back against these accusations, arguing that Modi’s absence does not equate to inaction. Manipur CM N. Biren Singh, in a January 2025 interview, defended the PM, stating, “The PM didn’t come here himself, but he sent the Home Minister and has addressed the issue publicly on three occasions—August 10, August 15, and July 23.” Modi, in a July 2024 Rajya Sabha address, claimed that violence in Manipur was declining, with over 11,000 FIRs filed and 500 arrests made, and schools reopening in most areas. He urged the opposition to “rise above politics” for peace, noting that the Centre and state were working together, with Shah spending days in Manipur and senior officials maintaining regular contact.
Singh also countered Congress’s narrative by referencing historical precedents, asking why former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao did not visit Manipur during the 1992–93 Naga-Kuki clashes, which claimed 350 lives. The BJP insists that Modi’s focus on national and international priorities, including his recent visits to Japan and China, does not diminish his commitment to Manipur. “The PM is addressing the crisis through strategic interventions, not photo-ops,” said Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, dismissing opposition demands as political theater.
Why No Visit? Speculative Reasons
Analysts and reports, such as a January 2025 piece by The Wire, offer several reasons for Modi’s avoidance of Manipur, suggesting it is a calculated move by a “master craftsman of realpolitik.”
- Electoral Timing: With the next Manipur assembly election due in early 2027, Modi may be delaying engagement to avoid early political risks. The BJP’s loss of both Manipur Lok Sabha seats to Congress in May 2024, where Modi’s absence was a campaign issue, underscores the state’s electoral sensitivity.
- Complex Ethnic Dynamics: The Meitei-Kuki divide presents a governance challenge, with no easy resolution. Visiting Manipur could force Modi to take sides or make promises he cannot fulfill, risking further unrest.
- Fear of Backlash: Public anger, evidenced by posters criticizing Modi’s silence in Imphal, could lead to protests during a visit, damaging his image. Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam’s 2024 parliamentary outburst—“I would keep quiet the moment the Prime Minister opens his mouth”—reflects the intensity of local sentiment.
- Centralized Control: Modi’s reliance on Shah and other lieutenants to manage the crisis suggests a strategy of distancing himself from direct accountability, preserving his “above the fray” persona.
- National Security Narrative: The BJP argues that Modi’s focus on broader issues, like countering illegal immigration in border states, takes precedence. A recent X post quoted Modi highlighting demographic changes in Bihar’s border areas as a priority.
- Media Management: Modi’s reluctance to engage directly may stem from his media strategy, avoiding critical press conferences and delegating commentary to subordinates, as noted by The Guardian.
Public Sentiment and Global Attention
Manipur’s residents feel neglected, with many expressing frustration on social media. “Is Manipur not part of India?” asked a victim in an Imphal relief camp, quoted by The Wire. Protests by the Manipuri diaspora, including a 2023 demonstration at the White House, have drawn international attention, with the European Parliament discussing the crisis in July 2023. Locally, posters in Imphal criticizing Modi’s silence and Rahul Gandhi’s two visits to relief camps have amplified the narrative of abandonment.
The opposition’s campaign has resonated, with Congress leveraging Modi’s absence to portray him as insensitive. “The people of Manipur deserve a visit,” tweeted Jairam Ramesh on December 31, 2024, contrasting Modi’s global travels with his domestic avoidance. The BJP’s electoral setbacks in Manipur’s 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where Congress won both seats, suggest that Modi’s absence could have political costs.
A Critical Lens: Strategic or Evasive?
While the BJP frames Modi’s absence as a focus on governance over optics, critics argue it reflects a failure to confront a crisis that has exposed governance lapses. The Wire’s analysis suggests that keeping CM Biren Singh as a “titular” leader suits Modi’s politics, allowing him to deflect blame while maintaining control. However, this strategy risks alienating Manipur’s populace, with analysts like Asim Ali noting that the crisis has become a “shorthand for the incompetence and callousness of the Modi administration.”
The Supreme Court’s intervention, including ordering action after a 2023 sexual violence video, has kept pressure on the government, yet Modi’s silence persists. As Manipur grapples with floods, ethnic divides, and a fragile peace process—bolstered by the appointment of former Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla as governor in January 2025—the absence of a prime ministerial visit remains a glaring omission.
Looking Ahead: A Test of Leadership
As Manipur awaits normalcy, Modi’s reluctance to visit raises questions about his leadership style. Will he address the crisis directly, or continue relying on proxies? The opposition’s persistent demands for a visit, coupled with public anger, suggest that Manipur could shape Modi’s legacy. For a state crying out for healing, the Prime Minister’s next move—or lack thereof—will speak louder than words.
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