Union Home Minister Amit Shah has finally responded to his critics in Parliament, saying that he is ready for debate. Opposition MPs have been mocking the Home Minister for being “Missing in Action”, to which Shah responded by saying that such terms are being misused.
“Words like ‘missing’ and ‘fugitives’ are terms that have only recently begun to be heard in India’s public and parliamentary discourse,” he said. He added that since the Parliament session began, he has been coming to Parliament regularly and sitting in his chamber. He claimed that the Opposition is not allowing Parliament to function in either House, and asked “so, what is the point of anyone going inside when the proceedings are not being allowed to run?”
He said, “as far as the discussion is concerned, Kiren Rijiju, who is our Parliamentary Affairs Minister, has made it very clear that the government is ready to discuss every aspect of the student protests regarding NEET. Let a time be fixed for the discussion and the opposition should get ready.” He claimed that earlier, they were demanding exactly this and agreed to the same. “On my part, I have also said that I am ready to answer any question in Parliament,” he added.
The Opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi has been ramping up the pressure against the Home Minister and the Union Government, over subjects of the Ram Temple donation scandal, the FCRA bill and the police crackdown on students during the July 20 CJP march. Rahul Gandhi hit out at Shah once again, calling for his resignation over the police’s use of pellet guns and batons on the peaceful protesters near Jantar Mantar.
“Who shot students? Who gave orders? Who blinded one of students? Who gave order to beat students. Did HM give orders to shoot students? If he has, he should resign because he is responsible,” he said.