New Delhi: In rare remarks outside Parliament on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to Opposition parties to engage in a structured parliamentary debate regarding recent student protests and alleged police action, offering to respond to all concerns under established rules and conventions.
Speaking to media persons within the Parliament complex amidst persistent Lok Sabha disruptions entering the fourth week of the Monsoon Session, Shah expressed readiness to initiate a continuous 24-hour debate starting from 3:00 PM Wednesday through 3:00 PM Thursday. He urged Opposition leaders to submit a formal letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla by 2:00 PM to facilitate the discussion schedule.
Shah emphasized that formal parliamentary debates provide the proper mechanism to address complex matters thoroughly, contrasting this with Opposition demands for brief statements. He noted that he was prepared to sit through the entire session, take detailed notes, and address every query raised to ensure total clarity for the public. Furthermore, Shah stated his willingness to seek the Speaker’s permission to suspend Question Hour on Thursday if necessary to accommodate the discussion.
The Home Minister’s proposal places the onus on the Congress-led Opposition, which has maintained persistent protests in the House over police action during recent student demonstrations alongside demands for statements regarding alleged donation irregularities at the Ram Temple. Addressing criticism regarding his presence, Shah clarified that he has consistently attended Parliament and remained in his official chamber throughout the Monsoon Session, arguing that continuous floor disruptions prevent meaningful participation inside the chamber.
