Just a day before the end of the monsoon session of Parliament, the political temperature of the country suddenly increased on Wednesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that he is fully ready to discuss in detail the protests and police action against the NEET paper leak. Along with him, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also said that the government is ready to extend the time for discussion on this sensitive issue. Amit Shah wrote a formal letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting him to hold the discussion after consultation with the opposition.
Speaking to reporters outside the Lok Sabha, the Home Minister said that we are ready to talk on every aspect from 3 pm on Wednesday to 3 pm on Thursday. He himself will sit in the House and listen to everyone and answer every question because the government has nothing to hide. This was the first time after the protests on July 20 that Amit Shah publicly clarified his stand on this. He clearly said that he comes to Parliament regularly, but the opposition is not allowing the proceedings of the Houses to continue.
Why did Congress change its course after the government's offer?
It is noteworthy that the monsoon session started from July 20 and on the same day the youth under the leadership of CJP (Cockroach Janata Party) took out a Parliament march from Jantar Mantar. The opposition was continuously raising questions regarding the police action taken during this period. Then Congress was demanding that the Home Minister should come to Parliament and give a statement and there should be a complete debate on it. However, at that time the government did not agree to this and Amit Shah also remained silent.
But now when only a few hours were left in the session, Amit Shah offered for discussion. Interestingly, by then Congress had changed its strategy. Now Congress is not satisfied with just discussions or statements, but has directly demanded the resignation of Amit Shah.
Why did the Home Minister speak after so many days?
Senior journalists believe that Amit Shah delayed too much in offering his reply in Parliament. Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai wrote on the social media platform 'X' that breaking the silence of the Home Minister just a day before the end of the monsoon session seems to be a very late step. The opposition has now changed its old demand and is directly demanding resignation. The question being raised is why this offer was not made earlier to end the three-week long deadlock in Parliament?
Senior journalist Urmilesh believes that seeing the image of the so-called strong government being affected, Amit Shah had to come forward at the end of the session. In the 37-day long movement at Jantar Mantar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the biggest target. From memes to slogans, PM Modi was at the center. Amit Shah came under target after July 20, when the police showed strictness against the students. According to Urmilesh, Shah made the statement of getting ready at the last moment to save his face and improve the image of the government.
Political analyst Vinod Sharma says that Amit Shah wanted the monsoon session to end in favor of the government and on a positive note. That's why this proposal was put forward at last. But in politics, it is considered wise to change the strategy according to the situation and this time Congress understood the move of BJP in time.
'We don't want speeches, give a straight answer': Rahul Gandhi
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi rejected this discussion proposal of the government outright. Rahul Gandhi said that the youth of the country do not want to listen to speeches, rather they want to know who had ordered the firing and lathicharge on the protesting students.
While talking to the media in the Parliament complex, Rahul Gandhi raised sharp questions. He asked which officer blinded one student and shot another student in the ear? Whose order was to attack the students with sticks studded with nails? Did Amit Shah order firing on children? If so, he should resign as guilty, and if he was not aware of it, he should admit his failure and step down.
Rahul Gandhi also taunted that the Home Minister has been missing from Parliament for the last 20 days, whereas earlier there used to be a large convoy of vehicles around him. Students should know what arrangements were made to stop them in the name of security.
Shah's counterattack: 'Let the public decide who is running'
Countering the opposition's allegations, Amit Shah rejected the demand to give a direct statement without discussion. He said that under parliamentary decorum, there should be a discussion in the House first, only after which he will answer. Shah said that he will also answer why the opposition was not allowing discussion for so many days.
The Home Minister said that the government was ready for a full debate on NEET performance from the very beginning and the Parliamentary Affairs Minister had also made this clear. He said that the initial demands of the opposition were also accepted and he is ready to answer every question, but the reality is that the opposition does not want discussion. Shah said that now the people of the country should decide who is running away from the debate.
On the other hand, the opposition parties clearly say that this offer made at the last moment is just a failed attempt to avoid accountability for police brutality.