Accountability in Action: Human Right Bodies Questions BJP’s Failure for Manipur’s Christians’ Crisis

In June 2026, Amnesty International has once again uncovered the bitter truth.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government and the Manipur state government have failed to end the violence, prevent displacement, and protect human rights in the state. Since 3 May 2023, at least 200 people have been killed and more than 60,000 displaced. Homes, businesses, villages, and places of worship have been burned, attacked, looted, and vandalized”.

This is not the first time International Humanitarian Organizations have called India for resolve of Manipur issue. Human rights’ watch world report 2024, 2025 and 2026 repeatedly called Indian authorities to address the ethnic conflict in Manipur for which Indian authorities have been failed.

The United Nations experts have also raised the alarm regrading serious human rights violations and abuses in India’s’ Manipur crossing heights of crimes against humanity and the acts of sexual violence, beatings, destructions to homes and properties mostly carried out against the minority Kuki Christians.

The Voice of violence against Kuki in Manipur has also been raised by United States Department of State report on India which called Indian authorities to end the cycle of violence in Manipur for so long.  The New York Times & The Caravan also called upon BJP under “Insanity in Manipur: The Modi’s government failed approach” & India’s local news outlets and opposition parties have also called the prime minister to solve the issue. Rahul Gandhi called PM Modi for putting “Manipur to fire” on 1st July 2024. Still, what we see is hopelessness and ignorance towards the poor Christians of Manipur. Still, this issue has been ignored multiple times by state authorities.

Tracing the Roots of Manipur Crisis

Since 3rd May 2023, the state of Manipur has witnessed the worse humanitarian crisis that cannot be suppressed any more. It started with the first spark that ignited by the Meitie community who wanted to extend the horizon of their power and resources such as rich forest land for farming, better income and financial loans, government employment opportunities, health as well as educational benefits. However, they do not fit into the constitutional criteria for gaining a scheduled tribe status. Other than this, the greed of power for meties was not fulfilled even securing position in ‘other backward classes” (OBC) which has given them leverage and quota for positions like IAS & IPS and an additional quota of 7.5% with 27%  OBC quota to gain access to Kuki tribe ancestral lands in hilly areas. This led to an increased conflict between two communities which was later utilized by political powers just to gain electoral advantages, carrying the legacy of hatred towards Christians & keep their pockets and status high.

Official figures indicate more than 260+ people killed, approx. 249+ churches vandalized and 60000 people displaced. Overall, 14000 violent incidents reported against minority Christians just in three years on this conflict. Over 12000 cases have only registered for incidents of violence since 2023.

Now & Beyond

Looking into 2024 where Amnesty International has questioned Indian government to failure to end the suppression of minorities. The organization released testimonies showing both central and state government role in it. Calling the authorities “missing in action” amid the ongoing violence. Later questioning the resignation of Biren Singh in 2025, Amnesty International once again criticized the state government calling“utterly failed to end this violence & tensions in Manipur. Similarly Human Rights Watch has also question the same in March 2025. In May 2026, The Unrepresented Nations and people’s Organization (UNDP) issued a ststement regarding calling out Government of India and Manipur authorities as well for the continued use of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) which is fueling more tensions instead of resolving the issues. Increased price hikes, blockades, biased policies towards Kuki community and injustice towards minorities defines the Manipur more than its beautiful lands and hills. The question of justice has been never answered, nor the demand of separate administration as per the Article 3 of Indian constitution has been heard or implemented. When state fails to provide basic facilities, security and resolve, the only thing left behind is struggle and peaceful protests. Unfortunately, even this right has been snatched from minorities of Manipur, particularly the Christian Kuki community. Holding the pain in chests and tears in eyes, the minorities of India still hopes for their demand of separate administration to be heard and justice to be served. However, the current situation depicts the static picture of a state that has turned its back on its most vulnerable people.

(Views expressed are personal)