PARLIAMENTARY Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced on Monday that the Government is ready for a full-fledged discussion in Lok Sabha on the student protests and police action across the country and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate, provided the Opposition promises not to disrupt and listens peacefully. Rijiju’s announcement came shortly after a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Lok Sabha where the agenda of the House for the next three days was discussed with members from different political parties. There has been a persistent demand from The Opposition for a statement from the home minister on the police action against students protesting in the city last month. Shah has not been seen in the House in the ongoing Monsoon session even though he has been regularly coming to Parliament House complex. Rijiju also said that since the Government is ready for the debate on the student protests in different parts of the country, The Opposition can’t create any turmoil and resort to any sloganeering during the discussion in the House as well as reply to the debate. “We have made it clear to the BAC of the Lok Sabha that the Government is ready for a full-fledged discussion on the student and youth agitations that have been going on in different parts of the country as well as police action. The Home Minister will give point-bypoint reply to the debate on behalf of the Government,” he told reporters after the meeting of the BAC held in Parliament House complex.

 

However, Rijiju said The Opposition has to assure that they will take part in the debate peacefully and will not disrupt the proceedings, listen to the reply of the home minister and will not run away after creating turmoil and sloganeering by citing some excuses. “We have given our offer and the Opposition now has to give the assurance that it will peacefully listen to reply of the Home Minister. Sloganeering will not be acceptable. If they want debate, there has to be proper decorum. The government never runs away from any issue or any debate, nor will it run away in future,” he said. Rijiju said the country has full right to know the details of the student agitation and asked the Congress and Samajwadi Party to “sort out their differences”. The Minister made a similar statement in the Lower House too. “The Congress party and Rahul Gandhi have been demanding a statement from Homer Minister Amit Shah from day one. The Government is ready to hold a discussion on the issue of students and give a detailed response. I request the Congress party not to walk out during his statement. It should not be scared,” he said in the House. Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said the party has been demanding discussion on the use of pellet guns by the police on the students during the July 20 protests over the NEET paper leak and the alleged donation theft at the Ram temple.