New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday firmly rejected Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s offer to speak in Parliament, stating that the Opposition is not interested in “fantasy conversations” or general addresses. Speaking at a joint press conference in New Delhi alongside Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Gandhi asserted that the Opposition’s core demand remains focused on establishing direct accountability for police force deployed against protesting students at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
Gandhi outlined three non-negotiable demands that the Opposition has maintained throughout the Monsoon Session: a clear statement from the Home Minister on who authorized the deployment of pellet guns and lathi charges against student protesters, a public apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the treatment of the students, and an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities linked to the Ram Mandir trust. Addressing Shah’s stance directly, Gandhi stated that if the Home Minister authorized the police action, he is culpable, and if he was unaware of it, he is incompetent—demanding his resignation in either scenario.
Adding to the address, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated that the government must address these specific concerns rather than attempting to bypass debate. Gandhi also extended his comments to student demonstrations in Jharkhand, condemning the use of force against peaceful protesters and urging state authorities to resolve student grievances through direct dialogue. He warned that if the central government continues to avoid direct answers on these issues, the remaining days of the parliamentary session risk further disruption.
