Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the government was ready for a detailed discussion in Parliament on the student protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and the subsequent police action, provided the Opposition submitted a written notice to the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Shah said the Opposition should submit the notice to Speaker Om Birla by 2 pm, following which the discussion could begin at 3 pm and continue until 3 pm the next day. He also urged Opposition members to allow Parliament to function.
However, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi rejected the offer, saying the Opposition was "not interested" in Shah giving a lecture. Gandhi demanded answers over the alleged firing and lathicharge against student protesters and questioned who authorised the police action.
Gandhi also asked whether Shah had ordered the alleged action, saying that if the Home Minister was responsible, he should resign. He further accused Shah of avoiding Parliament and lacking the courage to face the House.
The exchange comes amid continued disruptions during the Monsoon Session, with the Opposition pressing for discussion on the student protests and alleged police action. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had earlier said the government was prepared for a full-fledged debate on the issue.
Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday appealed to Opposition members to allow proceedings to continue, saying protests and slogan-shouting inside the House were damaging Parliament's image.
