On February 13, 2025, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, imposed President’s Rule in Manipur under Article 356 of the Constitution. This decision followed a report from the Governor of Manipur, highlighting a failure in governance that made it impossible for the state government to function as per constitutional provisions. As a result, the President has assumed all executive powers of the state government, and the Governor will now act on behalf of the President. Additionally, the powers of the state legislature have been transferred to Parliament, meaning that any legislative actions for Manipur will be handled by the central government.
The Proclamation also suspends certain constitutional provisions related to state governance, ministerial responsibilities, and legislative procedures. This effectively puts the administration of Manipur under the direct control of the Union Government. Such a move is taken when a state fails to uphold constitutional governance due to political instability, breakdown of law and order, or other crises. President’s Rule is initially imposed for six months but can be extended up to three years with parliamentary approval.
This development has significant political and administrative implications. While it ensures central intervention to restore stability, it also raises concerns about democratic governance and state autonomy. The future course of action will depend on how quickly normalcy is restored, allowing for fresh elections and the reinstatement of an elected government in Manipur.
