New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the government was prepared for an exhaustive parliamentary debate on the student protests and the police action against them, offering to field every question the Opposition raised.
Speaking outside Parliament, Shah said the Centre had “nothing to hide” and challenged Opposition parties to move past disruptions and allow a structured discussion.
He said the government was willing to begin the debate at 3 pm on Wednesday and continue it until 3 pm on Thursday, even if it meant suspending Question Hour with the Speaker’s approval.
“The government is ready to discuss every aspect of the student protests over NEET. I am also ready to answer any question in Parliament,” Shah said.
He asked Opposition leaders to submit a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla by 2 pm so that the discussion could start as proposed, as reported by The New Indian Express.
“From 3 pm today until 3 pm tomorrow, we are ready for all kinds of discussion. I will sit in the House myself, listen to everyone and answer everything,” he said.
‘Who Is Running Away?’
Shah accused the Opposition of blocking parliamentary proceedings instead of debating the issue, and said rules provided for a detailed discussion rather than a one-off statement. “Let the Opposition decide whether it wants a discussion or wants to create a ruckus,” he said, adding that parliamentary rules provided for a detailed debate rather than a demand for a standalone statement.
His remarks came as Opposition MPs staged a demonstration outside Parliament, raising slogans of “Amit Shah jawab do” (Amit Shah, give an answer), targeting the Home Minister over the alleged police action against student protesters in Delhi and other states.
The controversy has repeatedly stalled both Houses, with Opposition leaders demanding answers from the government and Rahul Gandhi seeking a response from the Home Minister.
Shah also hit back at allegations that he was avoiding Parliament, saying: “Ever since the Parliament session began, I have been coming to Parliament continuously and sitting in my chamber. Now let the public decide who is running away.”