The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of a disturbing video, showing two women in Manipur being subjected to sexual violence and paraded naked amidst the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state. The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, expressed deep concern and condemned the appalling act, emphasizing that the use of women as instruments to inflict gender violence in an area of communal strife is an abhorrent violation of human rights.

Addressing Attorney General for India, R Venkataramani, and Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, the Chief Justice sought detailed information about the steps taken by the Central and State Governments to bring the perpetrators to justice since the video surfaced on May 4. Despite the footage being from some time ago, the Court emphasized that the time elapsed does not diminish the seriousness of the matter.

The Court urged the government to take swift and effective action to hold the culprits accountable and ensure that such heinous acts are not repeated in Manipur or any other part of the country. CJI Chandrachud expressed concerns about whether this was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern of violence against women in the region.

"We are very deeply disturbed by the videos which emerged yesterday about the two women who were paraded in Manipur. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government really steps in and takes action. This is simply unacceptable," stated CJI Chandrachud.

The matter will be considered in the ongoing batch of cases concerning the violence in Manipur, with the Court giving the government a brief window to act before intervening further. The Court emphasized that the explicit visuals depicted in the video reflect gross constitutional violations and a serious breach of human rights.

The Supreme Court has directed both the Union and the State Government to promptly apprise the Court of the actions taken thus far to address this grave issue. Failure to respond adequately may prompt the Court to take more decisive action to ensure justice is served and further such incidents are prevented.

This critical development has sparked widespread concern and outrage across the nation, with citizens demanding swift and decisive action against the perpetrators. The case has garnered national attention, shining a spotlight on the need for robust measures to protect the rights and safety of women, especially in regions marred by ethnic conflict.

The Supreme Court's proactive stance on this matter demonstrates its commitment to upholding the principles of justice and safeguarding human rights in the country. As the nation waits for the government's response, many hope that this case will set a precedent for ensuring the safety and dignity of women in all corners of India.