MUMBAI: The recent incident in Manipur involving the circulation of an explicit video of two women paraded by a huge crowd can be deemed as a blot on India's reputation. Not only has it evoked shock and condemnation nationally, but the incident has also gained international attention with people expressing concern about the incident and calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable, the situation in the troubled state is now being more closely watched by the international community.

Civil society was outraged. Describing the incident as a blot on humanity and a blot on the country, activist Anna Hazare demanded the death penalty for those involved, and despite the fact that the incident had happened a week ago, prompted action from the government and authorities began only after it had gone viral and there was pressure on the government and authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Coming ahead of the monsoon session of parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on Manipur violence and the viral video from Manipur for the first time on Friday and said that the incident has put 140 crore Indians to shame. I want to assure the people of India that the accused will not be spared, he said, quickly adding an appeal to all chief ministers to tighten law and order including the names of Rajasthan and Chattisgarh or Manipur he said that the issue of a woman's honour is above all politics.

However, inside the house, the opposition parties in India's Parliament disrupted proceedings over the issue asking for him to address the issue, although the government was prepared for a discussion and reply by the Union home minister Amit Shah. 

The police in Manipur launched an investigation after the anger, and so far half a dozen people have been arrested in connection with the incident, and the authorities have been very alert on avoiding any similar incident, however, the ground realities are still very troubling with fresh incidents of violence being reported every day. The said incident has also raised questions about the safety and privacy of individuals, especially women, in India, also it has highlighted the need for better laws and policies to protect people's rights.

The Manipur is on the boil for a few months now, the dispute is a long-standing demand by the Meitei people for a Scheduled Tribe status under the Indian Constitution, which would give them privileges comparable to the tribal communities. The state was placed under tight security after the tribal agitation ended in violence, hundreds have died and property worth crores have been burnt to grounds. Businesses, schools, colleges and many establishments are shut. Once only hopes that peace returns to this part of the Northeastern state very soon and people are able to go back to their normal lives.