Jaya Bachchan reacts to viral Manipur incident, questions government’s response

New Delhi: Veteran actor and Rajya Sabha member, Jaya Bachchan, expressed her profound dismay regarding the disturbing Manipur incident during a brief interaction with the media. A video resurfaced online, showing two tribal women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men in Manipur, which has sparked widespread outrage.

Speaking to news agency ANI in Hindi, Jaya Bachchan termed the incident as “shameful” and revealed her inability to watch the entire video due to her overwhelming sense of shame. The incident occurred in May, but its recent viral spread has drawn significant attention. Jaya Bachchan criticized the lack of empathy shown by others in the face of such violence against women, contrasting it with the mere claim of selecting 50 percent of women for certain panels.

#WATCH | Delhi: I felt so bad, I couldn’t see the entire video. I was ashamed. Nobody cares. Women are being treated so badly. Its very frustrating. Everyday something or the other is happening with women. It’s very saddening: Jaya Bachchan, Rajya Sabha MP on Manipur Incident pic.twitter.com/C748G8kGx0

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2023

In her poignant expression, Jaya Bachchan likened the situation to “Elephant’s teeth” (referring to something that is incredibly huge yet barely acknowledged). The veteran actor expressed her frustration at the recurring incidents of violence against women, stating that such occurrences seem to be an everyday reality. She highlighted the lack of awareness about similar incidents in Uttar Pradesh and questioned the silence of Yogi Adityanath Ji, the Chief Minister of UP, on such matters. Jaya Bachchan found the widespread humiliation of women deeply saddening and disturbing.

The Manipur incident, which has drawn national attention, garnered reactions from numerous celebrities, including Akshay Kumar, Soni Razdan, and Sonu Sood, who expressed shock and disappointment at the horrifying event.

Shaken, disgusted to see the video of violence against women in Manipur. I hope the culprits get such a harsh punishment that no one ever thinks of doing a horrifying thing like this again.

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 20, 2023

Manipur video has shaken everyone’s soul.
It was humanity that was paraded..not the women??

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) July 20, 2023

Before any one does anything about anything – ATTEND TO MANIPUR first. This is an earnest plea on behalf of the people of Manipur who are being brutalised including women in the most terrible manner ?❤️‍? @PMOIndia @rashtrapatibhvn @GovtOfIndia_

— Soni Razdan (@Soni_Razdan) July 20, 2023

In response to the video surfacing, Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh condemned the incident, considering it a “crime against humanity” and asserting that it should never be committed by any human being. He assured immediate action and the arrest of the main culprit in the case and also conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the victims.

The Manipur Police swiftly took suo moto cognizance of the incident after the video came to light and made the first arrest related to the case. An ongoing investigation aims to ensure strict actions are taken against all the perpetrators involved, including the possibility of capital punishment, as declared by CM Biren Singh in a previous tweet. He emphasized the commitment to eradicate such heinous acts from society, reaffirming that there is absolutely no place for them.

#WATCH | Manipur CM N Biren Singh speaks on the viral video, says, “We saw the video and I felt so bad, it’s a crime against humanity. I immediately ordered the police to arrest the culprits and the state govt will try to ensure capital punishment for the accused. Every human… pic.twitter.com/02y8knvMD4

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2023