Amit Shah offers Parliament debate as Opposition demands answers
The political deadlock in Parliament continued on Wednesday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah offering to participate in a detailed debate on the recent police action against protesters in Delhi.
Shah asked Opposition parties to approach Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with a formal request by 2 pm, saying that the discussion could begin later in the afternoon. He maintained that contentious issues should be addressed through Parliament’s established procedures rather than through demands for an isolated ministerial statement.
The Home Minister also said he was prepared to remain in the House for an extended discussion and personally respond to the Opposition’s questions. He indicated that even Question Hour could be suspended, subject to the Speaker’s approval, to make room for the debate.
Shah rejected Opposition allegations that he had been absent from Parliament and said he had been regularly attending the session and working from his chamber.
He also accused the Opposition of repeatedly disrupting proceedings and argued that Parliament could not function effectively if debates were continuously blocked.
The Opposition, however, rejected Shah’s proposal. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the INDIA bloc wanted direct answers to specific questions concerning the alleged use of force against protesting students rather than what he described as a broad discussion.
Gandhi raised questions about injuries sustained by protesters and sought accountability for the alleged police action. He also accused the Home Minister of avoiding the issue despite being present in the Parliament complex.
The confrontation has further deepened the impasse between the government and Opposition, with both sides accusing the other of preventing meaningful parliamentary proceedings.