The Congress in Manipur has flagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public display of affection for a newborn calf to highlight how his love for the young bovine was “more important than the concern of human beings” of the strife-hit state.

Manipur PCC president K. Meghachandra Singh on Monday night uploaded a picture of Modi kissing the forehead of the calf alongside a picture of a news clip on a drone/missile attack in Imphal Valley with a long post articulating the plight of Manipur which has had a BJP-led government since 2017.

Modi shared the video and photos with the calf on Saturday, introducing the calf as a “truly adorable” new member at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the Prime Minister’s official residence.

In a post on X in Hindi on Saturday, Modi had said: “It is said in our scriptures Gaav Sarvasukh Pradaah. An auspicious new member has arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. The beloved mother cow has given birth to a calf, on whose forehead with a symbol of light. Hence, I have named it Deepjyoti.”

The video and photos of Modi with the calf, both inside and outside the Prime Minister’s residence, were widely shared on social media by the RSS/BJP ecosystem which considers the bovine a sacred animal.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sharing the video described it as the “Cutest video on the internet today”.

However, the MPCC president, who is also a sitting MLA, was apparently not impressed, going by his long post on X.

“PM Modi ji’s (@narendramodi) love and care of a calf is more important than the concern of human beings of Manipur... who are his fellow citizens in the state. He spent time with the calf but not with the people of Manipur.”

Meghachandra added: “For the sake of humanity, he must visit the State as we are also the citizens of India. How long will the people of Manipur state, being in Union of India, have to bear the pain and sorrow (inflicted by the ongoing conflict)? Where is the morality of the responsible Govt under Modi 3.0?”

“Innocent civilians are being killed in aerial bombarding, rocket launcher air strike and cross-firing as the attacks on them still
continue ... When is PM Modi ji going to visit Manipur ? When will Prime Minister realise he is also the Prime Minister of the people of Manipur?”
Meghachandra asked.

The strife between the Kuki-Zos and the Meiteis has claimed over 234 lives
and displaced over 60,000 in the state. Modi has not visited Manipur since the conflict began on May 3, 2023.

Meghachandra had on Friday extended a formal invitation to him to visit the state whose people have been “eagerly waiting” for his presence to “place their voice of helplessness” before him.

Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, another Congress leader, wished Modi on X, adding “people of Manipur dearly miss you on your birthday”