The political confrontation inside Parliament intensified on Wednesday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered the Opposition a 24-hour window to debate the issues that have triggered repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session. Shah said he was ready to remain present in the House from 3 pm on Wednesday until 3 pm on Thursday and answer questions raised by Opposition MPs.
The Home Minister’s proposal came amid a continuing stalemate over the Opposition’s demands for answers on police action against protesting students and a discussion concerning alleged irregularities in Ram Temple donations. Despite the government’s fresh offer, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi rejected Shah’s proposal, signalling that the deadlock may continue.
Amit Shah’s 24-Hour Challenge to Opposition
Addressing the ongoing parliamentary impasse, Amit Shah said the Opposition should formally submit a letter to the Speaker by 2 pm if it wanted a discussion. According to Shah, the debate could begin at 3 pm and continue until 3 pm the following day.
Shah said he was prepared to listen to the Opposition’s arguments and respond to all the questions raised during the discussion. He framed the offer as an opportunity to replace repeated disruptions with a detailed parliamentary debate.
The Home Minister also said the decision now rested with the Opposition on whether it wanted a discussion inside the House or continued disruption of parliamentary proceedings.
The proposal represents the government’s latest attempt to shift the political confrontation from protests and adjournments to a formal debate on the floor of Parliament.
Parliament Logjam Over Student Protest Issue
The central point of confrontation has been the Opposition’s demand for an explanation from Amit Shah over police action against students during protests in Delhi.
Opposition parties have repeatedly sought clarity over the alleged use of force against demonstrators, including allegations concerning pellet guns and injuries. The government, meanwhile, has maintained that it is prepared to discuss the issue and respond to questions raised by MPs.
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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had earlier stated that the government was ready for a detailed discussion on issues connected with the students’ protest and that the Home Minister would respond.
However, the Opposition has continued to insist that the government address specific questions about the police action, including who authorised the use of force.
Amit Shah Hits Back at ‘Missing’ Claims
Amit Shah also strongly objected to Opposition remarks describing him as “missing”, “escaped” or a “fugitive” from Parliament.
The Home Minister said he had been regularly attending Parliament since the Monsoon Session began. He argued that he had been sitting in his chamber but that repeated disruptions had prevented Parliament from functioning normally.
Shah questioned the purpose of simply entering the House when proceedings were repeatedly stalled. He accused the Opposition of preventing Parliament from functioning and said the government had nothing to hide.
He further maintained that he was willing to sit through the discussion, listen to the Opposition and provide answers to the issues being raised.
Rahul Gandhi Rejects Amit Shah’s Offer
The Home Minister’s offer, however, failed to immediately break the political stalemate.
Rahul Gandhi dismissed the proposal, saying the Opposition was not interested in listening to a “lecture” from Amit Shah. Instead, Gandhi demanded direct answers regarding the police action against protesting students.
He questioned who ordered the shooting and alleged use of force against students. Gandhi also said that if Amit Shah had ordered such action, he should resign.
The sharp response indicates that the Opposition is seeking more than a broad parliamentary debate. Congress has been pressing for specific accountability over the student protest crackdown and has also maintained that the issue involving alleged theft or misuse of Ram Temple donations must be discussed.
Ram Temple Donations Row Adds to Tensions
The controversy surrounding alleged Ram Temple donation irregularities has emerged as another major point of confrontation between the government and Opposition.
Congress has described discussion of the matter as non-negotiable, while the government has focused on offering a broader debate on the issues raised by the Opposition.
With both sides maintaining firm positions, the two issues have become closely linked to the wider parliamentary deadlock.
Will Amit Shah’s 24-Hour Offer End the Deadlock?
The latest development puts the spotlight on whether Parliament can finally move from disruption to debate.
Amit Shah’s offer to remain available for discussion for 24 hours is significant because it directly addresses the Opposition’s repeated demand for his presence and response. At the same time, Rahul Gandhi’s rejection suggests that the Opposition wants specific answers and accountability before agreeing to normal proceedings.
The Monsoon Session has already witnessed repeated disruptions over the student protest issue. The government and Opposition have accused each other of preventing Parliament from functioning, while both sides have used protests outside and inside the House to strengthen their respective positions.
For the government, the challenge is now to demonstrate that its offer can translate into a substantive debate. For the Opposition, the immediate question is whether it will accept the proposed discussion while continuing to press its demands on police action and the Ram Temple donations controversy.
As the crucial 3 pm deadline approaches, attention is now firmly focused on Parliament. Amit Shah has publicly offered an extended opportunity for questions and answers, but the Opposition’s refusal so far means the political standoff remains unresolved.
The coming hours could therefore prove decisive for the Monsoon Session, with the possibility of either a high-voltage parliamentary debate or another round of disruptions dominating proceedings.
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