NEW DELHI, AUGUST 11: The political standoff in Parliament deepened further on Monday as the Government’s offer to hold a detailed discussion on the recent student protests and alleged police action failed to break the deadlock with the Opposition.
The Government proposed a comprehensive debate in the Lok Sabha on the protests and related incidents, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah agreeing to give a detailed response. However, the Opposition rejected the proposal, insisting that its core demands on accountability and alleged police action must first be addressed.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Government was ready for a detailed discussion on student and youth protests as well as reported police action in different parts of the country. He said Home Minister Amit Shah would provide a point-by-point response during the debate.
Rijiju also appealed to Opposition MPs to maintain parliamentary decorum and participate in the proposed discussion instead of disrupting proceedings. He urged them to remain present in the House to hear the Home Minister’s response.
The Government’s proposal followed a meeting of the Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee, which reviewed the legislative programme for the remaining days of the Monsoon Session.
The Opposition, however, maintained that a general statement by the Home Minister would not address its concerns.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sought clarity over the alleged use of force during the July 20 student protest, questioning whether Home Minister Amit Shah had authorised the reported firing and alleged use of pellet guns against protesters.
Gandhi demanded that the Government clearly establish responsibility for the alleged police action and also sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge separately accused the Government of avoiding a discussion on issues being raised by the Opposition. He reiterated the demand for accountability over the alleged Ram temple donation irregularities and sought a statement from the Prime Minister.
The Government rejected the Opposition’s contention and said that the allegations concerning donations were already being examined at the Uttar Pradesh level, including through an SIT investigation.
The continuing confrontation has triggered repeated disruptions in Parliament since the Monsoon Session began on July 20. Several legislative proceedings have been affected, with Opposition protests preventing detailed debates on a number of Bills.
With the Monsoon Session scheduled to conclude on Thursday, the prolonged stalemate has raised questions over the Government’s legislative agenda, including the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill and the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Amendment Bill.
Despite attempts by the Government to bring the Opposition back to the negotiating table, both sides remained firmly divided on Monday, leaving the functioning of Parliament uncertain in the final days of the session.(KNC)
