Parliament Confirms President’s Rule in Manipur

Context

Parliament has officially adopted a statutory resolution confirming the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, following months of unrest and political instability. The resolution was passed by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing concerns raised during the debates. This development comes after the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the inability of any party to form a government in the state.

Background: Political and Ethnic Turmoil in Manipur

Ethnic violence has been plaguing Manipur since May 2023, culminating in a full-blown crisis that has mainly happened between the Meitei and Kuki communities who have witnessed the severe displacement and shattering loss of lives. Officially over 260 deaths are reported, of which around 80% occurred during the first month of violence. On February 11, 2025, Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned after the situation became tense despite attempts to restore peace.

Imposition of President’s Rule

President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur under Article 356(1) of the Constitution on February 13, 2025. This provision allows the President to assume control of a state’s governance when its administration cannot function according to constitutional norms. The proclamation was issued after consultations with political parties in Manipur failed to yield a consensus for government formation.

Under Article 356:

• The functions of the state government are transferred to the Centre.
• The state legislature’s powers are exercised by Parliament.
  This mechanism is subject to parliamentary approval within two months, which was achieved through resolutions passed in both houses.

Debates in Parliament

• Lok Sabha Discussion: Members of all parties supported the motion despite condemning the government for the way in which the situation had been handled by organiz-ing a late-night session in the Lok Sabha on April 3, 2025, to discuss and adopt the resolution. Union Home Minister Amit Shah came forward to defend the government, saying that central forces were rushed to the affected areas immediately after violence had broken out due to a High Court ruling in May 2023. He further pointed out that the period has seen no violence being reported from the state of Manipur since November 2024.
• Rajya Sabha Debate: Resolution was accordingly passed in Rajya Sabha at an early hour on April 4, 2025. Opposition members accused the government of not restoring law and order, while they also agreed that, considering the current circumstances, President’s Rule was warranted. Highlighting these efforts, Amit Shah noted that it involved holding meetings between Meitei and Kuki communities and that another such meeting would happen very soon in New Delhi.

Key Arguments by Union Home Minister 

• Restoration of Peace: Shah stated that significant progress had been made in restoring normalcy, citing zero violence since November 2024 and ongoing dialogues between ethnic communities.
• Political Vacuum: He explained that no party had staked a claim to form a government after Biren Singh’s resignation, necessitating President’s Rule.
• Youth Disarmament: Over 10,000 youths surrendered arms as part of broader peace initiatives in Northeast India.
• Criticism of Opposition: Shah rejected allegations from Congress regarding mishandling of the situation and noted that Congress lacked sufficient numbers for a no-confidence motion against Biren Singh before his resignation.

Implications for Governance

The imposition of President’s Rule has transferred administrative control to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. While peace-building measures are underway, challenges remain:

• Restoring displaced populations.
• Resolving ethnic tensions between Meitei and Kuki communities.
• Conducting free and fair elections within six months or extending President’s Rule if necessary.

Historical Context

President’s Rule has been imposed in India over 130 times since independence, often sparking debates about its misuse by ruling parties at the Centre. In this instance, BJP dismissed its own state government, a rare occurrence highlighting its commitment to stabilizing Manipur despite political costs.

Conclusion

The adoption of President’s Rule in Manipur marks a critical juncture in addressing ethnic violence and political instability. While Parliament has endorsed this measure as necessary for restoring order, it underscores broader challenges in governance and conflict resolution. Moving forward, sustained efforts will be required to ensure peace, rebuild trust among communities, and re-establish democratic institutions in Manipur.

 Source: AIR

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Which of the following conditions can lead to the imposition of President’s Rule in a state under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution?

1. Failure of the constitutional machinery in the state
2. Breakdown of law and order in a state
3. Non-compliance with the directions of the Union government
4. Financial emergency in the state

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2, and 3 only
C) 1 and 4 only
D) All of the above

Answer: B)

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