‘I Am Ready, Opposition To Decide If It Wants Debate’: Amit Shah's First Reax Over Pa
‘I Am Ready, Opposition To Decide If It Wants Debate’: Amit Shah's First Reax Over Parliament Logjam
M.U.H
12/08/202614
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at the opposition over continued logjam and disruptions in Parliament, saying he is ready to discuss and address all issues, but the Opposition had to decide whether it wanted a discussion or continued uproar.
While speaking to reporters, the Union Minister said that the Opposition MPs should write to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla if it wanted a discussion, following which the debate could begin at 3 pm and continue until late at night.
“I want to tell the Opposition: submit a letter to the Speaker by 2 pm, we will start the discussion at 3 pm, and I will provide answers to everything by 3 pm tomorrow," Shah said.
He said that Parliament had established rules and procedures for discussions and rejected the demand that he simply make a statement.
“Such a serious issue cannot be discussed in that manner. That may be your method, but it is not the parliamentary way. In Parliament, discussions are held at length," he said.
Offering the Opposition a 24-hour window for a discussion in Parliament, Shah said that he was ready to answer all their questions and would remain present in the House from 3 pm on Wednesday until late at night and was even willing to continue the discussion until 3 pm on Thursday. He added that he was prepared to suspend Question Hour if the Speaker granted permission.
“I will sit through it myself, take notes on everything, and respond to every point so that the entire matter becomes clear to the people of the country," Shah said.
Taking a sharp dig at the Opposition, Shah objected to words such as “laapata" and “bhaag gaye" being used in public and parliamentary discourse.
“I have been coming to Parliament regularly since the session began; I sit in my chamber, but since the Opposition is not allowing Parliament to function—in either House—what is one supposed to do?" he said.
Shah said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had already made it clear that the government was ready for a discussion on the NEET protests, adding that the government had agreed to the Opposition’s initial demand for a discussion. He then turned the Opposition’s “running away" criticism back on them.
“We asked for a time to be fixed and for the Opposition to be ready. That was their initial demand, and we agreed to it. I, too, have stated that I am ready to answer any question in Parliament, yet they simply do not want the discussion to take place. Now, let the public decide who is running away," he said.
Shah said the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ready to discuss all aspects of the issue.
“We are ready for a discussion on all aspects from 3 pm today until 3 pm tomorrow. I will sit in the House; I will listen to everyone and respond to every point. The government has nothing to hide," he said.
Rahul Gandhi Responds
Soon after Amit Shah’s remarks, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi rejected it saying that the youth don’t want to listen to the Union Home Minister and he must resign.
“Who gave the order to shoot the students? Delhi Police and RAF come under Home Ministry. Did Amit Shah give the order? If he did, he is culpable, if he didn’t, he is incompetent. In both cases, he should resign," Rahul Gandhi said.
He added that the government has no answers and they are scare.
Parliament Logjam
The Parliament continues to witness disruptions as both Houses were adjourned shortly after proceedings resumed on Wednesday morning. While the Lok Sabha was adjourned shortly after the house resumed, the Rajya Sabha witnessed uproar over alleged disparaging remarks by BJP MP Sushmita Dev against CPM’s John Brittas. The Upper House was also adjourned shortly after.
Opposition has been targeting the Home Minister on the issue of lathicharge on the protesting students in Delhi on July 20. The Opposition has continued to demand answers from the government in Parliament, while the government has accused Opposition parties of disrupting proceedings and preventing discussions from taking place.
Rahul Gandhi has been leading the charge on Shah demanding that he speak in Parliament on who gave orders to beat students and fire pellet guns on the protesters.
