STRASBOURG/NEW DELHI: The European Parliament will discuss a resolution on the ethnic violence in Indian state Manipur today (July 12) during its ongoing plenary session in Strasbourg, dealing Prime Minister Narendra Modi a surprise blow on the eve of his trip to Paris as a guest of honour for France’s Bastille Day celebrations on July 14.
The Manipur issue will be discussed at the “Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy, and the Rule of Law” in the afternoon. The European Parliament will hold an “urgent debate” on the Manipur situation. The motion will be discussed, a vote on a resolution will occur, and a vote on a resolution will be discussed the next day, July 13. This recurring theme seems to follow Modi when he travels abroad recently for violation of human rights and democracy.
Six parliamentary groups have introduced a motion for a resolution in the EU Parliament that is a scathing indictment of the Modi government’s managing of the two-month-long violence that has torn and burned the small hill state. They have all come down hard on the Indian government, accusing it of violating human rights, suppressing fundamental freedoms, and cracking down on dissent, civil society, and the media. The motion also criticized Bharatiya Janata Party officials for their nationalist rhetoric and, more importantly, expressed regret for the deterioration of democracy under Prime Minister Modi’s administration.
The political parties represented by the members of parliament span from the Left, European Socialists, and Greens to regionalist parties, the Conservatives, and center-right political and Christian organizations. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) is a center-right reformist and conservative party. Other groupings include the pro-Europe Renew group, the Greens-Euro free alliance group known as Verts/ALE, socialist, leftist, and democratic groups from S&D to GUE/NGL, and the EPP, or the European People’s Party, which is made up primarily of Christian Democrats.
The pro-right ECR group has expressed concern over reports that cast doubt on the role played by state security forces in Manipur, highlighting the absence of security personnel in areas that are specifically targeted by mobs and the fact that clashes continue every day despite the Army’s presence and the visit of Union home minister Amit Shah. Additionally, they highlighted what they claimed were laws and practices that discriminated against tribal peoples and religious minorities.
The PPE group of Christian Democrats motioned to examine the conflict between primarily Hindu Meiteis and Christian Kukis. It highlighted the effective religious offensive that destroyed 250 churches, hospitals, Christian schools, and several temples.
The pro-Europe Renew group also characterized the clashes as religious and expressed concern over politically-motivated divisive policies supporting Hindu majoritarianism and militant groups’ rise. They also urged the Modi administration to use the least force possible while still abiding by UN regulations and to permit unrestricted aid from Delhi and EU member states.
Modi government hires leading lobbying firm
Alber & Geiger, one of Europe’s top lobbying firms, have been hired by the Modi government to avoid any potential diplomatic embarrassment arising from the European Parliament debating and possibly passing a resolution against it.
The political lobbying organization based in Brussels, which communicates with EU institutions, lawmakers, and officials, has released a statement to the European Parliament, first reported in Imphal Times.
It reads, “We are writing to call your notice to and to convey our views regarding the Urgency Resolution on “India, the Situation in Manipur.” Further pleading, “Unfortunately, Manipur has experienced unrest for a long time. The Indian government is constantly trying to defuse the dispute and bring peace. To help the parties communicate, it also established a peace committee in Manipur.
According to Alber & Geiger, the internal issue in Manipur should be resolved between the Parliament and India before such a strong Urgency Resolution is discussed because there is already an Indian peace committee in place.
The legal firm added, “As the EU and India are negotiating an FTA, and as India would be a future strategic ally for the EU, India should not be refrained from explaining its position in such a situation.” Alber & Geiger “has a history of successfully representing clients’ interests on the highest political and legislative level in the EU,” according to its website. We support our clients in creating their corporate and political initiatives.
This is not the first time the Indian government has used a lobbying company to communicate with member states instead of its diplomatic service.
Before this, Alber & Geiger was hired to smooth over the Free Commerce Agreement (FTA) between Washington and Brussels “due to concerns from European Parliament members concerning privacy, trade, and human rights.”
The outcome of the discussion and the resolution that the European Parliament will adopt are still in the air. Modi is traveling to Paris to attend a parade, but the process has already overshadowed it.
