The Congress on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a champion of “distortion and diversion” and tends to defame others because of his own “insecurities”.

Taking strong objection to the whataboutery that the Prime Minister triggered by clubbing the explosive situation in Manipur with states such as Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh instead of sincerely analysing and tackling the crisis in the northeastern state, Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh told The Telegraph: “Modi doesn’t lie because it is in his interest. He lies because it is in his nature.”

Ramesh added: “Modi is the Guru of five Ds when it comes to dealing with pressing issues: Deny, Deflect, Divert, Distort and Defame. Manipur is the latest example of this fundamental character of the man. Time and again he has demonstrated what a huge bundle of insecurities he is.”

While the entire RSS-BJP ecosystem and ministers took the cue from Modi’s response, which came after a disconcerting 78-day silence, and launched a massive attack on Rajasthan and Bengal, the ploy boomeranged because the comparison with Manipur sounded irrational. The whataboutery was challenged as reports about more heinous occurrences came, conclusively proving that the Manipur crisis was not about stray law-and-order incidents.

Former home minister P. Chidambaram said: “Let’s admit that there were incidents of violence against women in Bihar, Bengal and Rajasthan. How does that excuse the continuing and relentless violence in Manipur? Are there any Kukis left in the valley? Are there any Meiteis left in Churachandpur and other hill districts of Manipur? If reports are true, ethnic cleansing is almost complete in Manipur. On an objective assessment, there is a collapse of constitutional government in Manipur.”

Chidambaram added: “The writ of the chief minister and his ministers does not run beyond their homes and offices. How can the situation in Manipur be compared to the situation in Bihar, Bengal and Rajasthan? The central government has not only been incompetent and partisan, it is callous and cruel when it hides behind the smokescreen of odious comparisons. If stern action is required in Bihar, Bengal and Rajasthan, certainly instruct the state governments to take stronger action, but that does not excuse the barbarism that is taking place in Manipur. The government of Manipur has collapsed. The government of India is in a self-induced coma.”

Referring to reports about two more women being killed after rape, Ramesh said: “Every passing day as the truth of the horror of Manipur continues to trickle out, it is clear that: 1. The law and order in the state has collapsed. Mobs, armed vigilantes and insurgent groups are running amok. Women and families have faced the worst, unimaginable atrocities. 2. The administration is not only complicit in the violence but has actively fanned hate.”

Ramesh added: “The social fabric has been completely torn apart with a total breakdown of trust between communities. There won’t be any justice or movement towards peace as long as Biren Singh remains the chief minister. The time has long past gone for the Prime Minister to act. He must act now and not deflect, distort and defame to cover up the collapse of the so-called double-engine governance in Manipur.”

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed strong objection to the comparison with Manipur. “His intention was to defame us. We have made registration of FIRs compulsory and that’s why the number of cases has increased. But that also ensured prompt action against criminals. Modi has attacked the self-esteem of Rajasthan by clubbing it with Manipur.”

Gehlot further said: “It’s not only about the rape and parading of two women naked, the chief minister of Manipur himself says hundreds of such incidents have happened. Over 3,000 FIRs have been registered in two months. The Prime Minister didn’t utter a word on Manipur for 78 days. He then says 140 crore people are ashamed. No, they are sad because of your actions and inaction. After such a tragedy, you do formality for a few seconds and get busy in the election campaign. Modi ji, think about Prime Ministerial dignity.”

While Rajasthan Congress took out a candle march in protest against Modi’s diversionary ploy on Saturday night, there was a massive protest by Delhi Congress on Sunday against the Centre’s failure in Manipur.Opti