The 18th day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session was marked by continued disruption as the Opposition sought answers from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on several issues, including alleged police action in Delhi.
Speaking on Thursday, Shah said he was ready to answer all questions from the Opposition by 3 pm on Friday. He urged Opposition parties to submit their questions in writing to the Lok Sabha Speaker and said the government had nothing to hide and was prepared to discuss every issue.
Proceedings in Parliament remained affected by Opposition protests and disruptions on the 18th day of the Monsoon Session. The Opposition has been seeking answers from the Home Minister for several days on various issues, including alleged police action in Delhi.
Speaking to the media in the Parliament complex, Shah asked the Opposition to submit all its questions in writing. He said he would answer every question at 3 pm on Friday.
Shah also responded to Opposition allegations that he had not been present in Parliament. He said words such as “missing” and “ran away” had been repeatedly heard in Indian public and parliamentary life.
Shah said he had been continuously attending Parliament since the session began and remained present in his office. According to him, if the Opposition did not allow proceedings in either House to continue, it became difficult for the government to hold discussions.
The Home Minister rejected the Opposition’s allegation that the government was avoiding discussions on important issues. He said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had already made it clear that the government was ready for detailed discussions on the relevant issues.
According to Shah, the Opposition’s initial demand was that time be allocated for discussion, and the government had accepted that demand. He said he was personally ready to answer questions raised in Parliament.
Shah said the public should be allowed to decide who was backing away from discussions.
Shah urged the Opposition to submit its questions in writing to the Lok Sabha Speaker. He said the government was prepared to discuss all aspects within a fixed time frame.
The Home Minister said he would remain present in the House, listen to the Opposition and respond to each of its issues. He reiterated that the government had nothing to hide.
Shah also said he was ready to answer the question of why the Opposition had been avoiding discussion. He appealed to the Opposition to allow Parliament’s proceedings to run smoothly.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reacted to Shah’s statement, saying the Opposition was not merely interested in listening to the Home Minister’s speech but wanted answers to questions concerning the country’s youth and students.
Gandhi raised questions over alleged police action against students. He asked who ordered the firing at students and the use of force against them.
Gandhi alleged that Shah had not been available in Parliament for several days and said the Home Minister should come to the House and answer these questions.
