With the Monsoon Session of Parliament entering its final week, the government on Monday made a fresh attempt to break the deadlock, offering to hold a “full and detailed discussion” on issues concerning students and the recent protests. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Union Home Minister Amit Shah is prepared to respond to the concerns raised by the Opposition.
Addressing the media at the Parliament complex, Rijiju appealed to opposition parties to allow the Houses to function and participate in the proposed discussion. He said the government had made its position clear and was ready for a comprehensive debate on the students’ movement and related developments.
“The offer made by the government is very clear that it is ready to have a full and detailed discussion on students' movement and activities related to it,” Rijiju said.
He, however, urged opposition MPs not to disrupt the proceedings when Shah makes his statement. Rijiju said the Opposition should listen to the Home Minister’s response and subsequently participate in a “threadbare discussion” on the issue.
“My only point made to the Opposition is that while the discussion and a reply are being made, the Opposition should not create disturbances to prevent the statement of the Home Minister. They must listen to the reply of the Home Minister and the government. Once discussion begins, we must have a threadbare discussion,” he said.
The government’s offer comes amid continued confrontation between the ruling side and the Opposition over the July 20 violence associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters’ ‘Chalo Sansad’ march. Opposition parties have been demanding that Shah make a statement in Parliament on the incident and have repeatedly questioned his absence from the proceedings.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has stepped up his criticism of the Home Minister, alleging that Shah’s absence from Parliament raises questions over the government’s handling of the violence. Gandhi has also demanded an independent investigation monitored by the Supreme Court into the July 20 incident.
In another post on X on Monday, Gandhi alleged that the violence had damaged the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused the government of activating its “propaganda machinery” to counter criticism.
The Opposition has rallied behind Gandhi’s demands, with INDIA bloc parties repeatedly disrupting proceedings in both Houses. Earlier on Monday, opposition MPs carrying placards staged a protest outside Parliament at Makar Dwar and raised slogans against Shah.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also maintained that the parliamentary deadlock would continue unless the Home Minister responds to the issues raised by the Opposition. Other opposition leaders have echoed the demand for a statement from Shah, making his proposed response a key point of contention between the two sides.
The government, meanwhile, has sought to shift the focus towards debate and discussion, arguing that Parliament cannot function if proceedings are continuously disrupted. Rijiju’s appeal indicates that the Centre is seeking to use the remaining days of the session to facilitate a detailed discussion and allow the Home Minister to place the government’s position on record.
With the Monsoon Session scheduled to conclude on August 13, only a few days remain for the two sides to find common ground. Whether the government’s offer of a detailed discussion can end the impasse will depend largely on whether the Opposition agrees to allow Shah to make his statement and participate in the subsequent debate.
Leave Your Comment