Rahul Gandhi Says Manipur Peace Possible ‘in Five Minutes’ if Govt Acts

New Delhi/Imphal: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has stated that peace in Manipur could be restored “within five minutes” if the government shows the necessary intent, stressing that dialogue between communities remains the key to resolving the ongoing crisis.

Key Remarks

Speaking during an interaction with students from Delhi University and Gargi College, Gandhi said:

• Peace can be achieved quickly if the Government of India decides to act decisively
• Dialogue and trust-building between communities are essential
• “If the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) were in power, the situation could be resolved within hours”

He emphasized that conflict resolution requires political will combined with community engagement.

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Criticism of the Government

Gandhi also criticised the current leadership, stating:

• There is a lack of intent to end the violence
• The Prime Minister has not visited the conflict-hit state in recent months
• Authorities must take stronger steps to stop violence and protect civilians

He added that institutions like the Indian Army are meant to prevent communities from fighting and maintain order.

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Focus on Dialogue and Grassroots Peacebuilding

Highlighting a long-term solution, Gandhi called for:

• Bridge-building between communities
• Greater involvement of youth, civil society, and educated groups
• Grassroots initiatives such as:
  • Peace workshops
  • Community dialogue platforms

He stressed that sustainable peace must come from the ground level, not just top-down decisions.

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Visits and Engagement in Manipur

Gandhi has previously visited violence-affected areas in 2024, including:

• Relief camps in Churachandpur
• Moirang
• Jiribam

During these visits, he interacted with displaced families, particularly women and children, and listened to their grievances.

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Context of the Crisis

• Violence in Manipur began on May 3, 2023
• Over 260 people have lost their lives
• Around 60,000 people have been displaced

The conflict has deeply affected communities, infrastructure, and social cohesion across the state.

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Call for Empathy and Action

Gandhi described the situation as a “very difficult time” for Manipur and urged:

• Greater empathy for victims and affected families
• Immediate efforts to ensure justice and rehabilitation
• Active participation of citizens in promoting peace

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Bottom Line

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks underline a broader argument: while security measures are important, lasting peace in Manipur will depend on political will, meaningful dialogue, and collective efforts from both leadership and society.