Congress leader Sethi slams Rijiju's ‘grateful’ remark on PM Modi

DIMAPUR — National Coordinator of AICC Minority department and In-charge of Manipur, Rajesh Kumar Sethi, has hit out at Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s recent statement asking the people of the North-eastern Region to be “grateful” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for basic development and job appointments.

In a press release on Sunday, the Congress leader termed Rijiju’s statement as “deeply problematic and exposes the BJP’s patronising mindset toward the region.”

“To set the record straight, the Prime Minister of India is not doing a favuor to the Northeast; he is simply performing his constitutional duty. Roads, jobs, connectivity, drinking water, and security are not gifts from the ruling party, they are entitlements of every citizen in a democracy.

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“Should we express gratitude for being given what is already our right? Or should we hold our elected leaders accountable for failing to deliver on promises, especially when they come to power by making grand declarations?” Sethi asked.

He also stated that if Rijiju cared to recollect, in 2015, Prime Minister Modi had declared that a final Naga Peace Accord would be concluded within a few months when only three or four groups were involved in talks.

But nearly a decade later, the situation had worsened, with 28 groups now in the fray, leading to increased complexity, confusion, and division instead of peace, he added.

“Is this the ‘development’ the people of Nagaland or the region are expected to be grateful for? Or do we deserve a candid explanation of how a hastily promised solution has devolved into a prolonged and deepening crisis?” the Congress leader questioned.

Sethi went on to state that even as Manipur continues to suffer, the Prime Minister remains a silent spectator: despite over 200 deaths, thousands displaced, and numerous homes and churches burnt, PM Modi had not visited Manipur since the violence broke out.

He questioned whether a region could truly feel supported when its cries were met with calculated silence, adding that leadership involved standing with people in their darkest hours, not just making social media statements.

“Meanwhile, in Dimapur, widely regarded as one of the key economic engines not just of Nagaland but the region at large, the situation on the ground is deeply troubling.

“The city is at present reeling under the devastating effects of severe flooding and a complete collapse of basic infrastructure. Where is the gratitude supposed to come from, when even basic governance is missing?”

Asserting that the Congress party believes in serving people, not seeking applause, Sethi went on to state that the Congress doesn't expect citizens to thank them for doing their job, but instead wanted people to question more, demand better, and receive what they deserved, rather than being handed out token favours with photo opportunities.

“Let us reject this culture of manufactured gratitude. Let us demand accountable, inclusive, and effective governance instead,” he added.