Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday broke his silence over the Opposition’s demand for a statement in Parliament on police action against student protesters on July 20 in New Delhi, saying the government is “ready for a discussion from 3 pm today.” He proposed that if the Opposition agreed, the debate could run from Wednesday 3 pm to Thursday 3 pm. Shah said serious matters, including police action on student protests during the NEET paper leak agitation, could not be discussed in haste. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi signalled the Opposition’s reluctance, saying they were not interested in hearing his “lecture.”
What Shah Said
Amit Shah said, “The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is ready for all discussions. I will answer all the questions, but the House should be allowed to function.” He added that there are established rules and procedures for parliamentary discussions.
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "I want to tell the Opposition: submit a letter to the Speaker by 2:00 PM, we will start the discussion at 3:00 PM, and I will provide answers to everything by 3:00 PM tomorrow. There are established rules and procedures for… pic.twitter.com/Q8ZdZfvxdW
— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2026
“Ever since the Parliament session began, I have been coming to Parliament continuously and sitting in my chamber. Since the opposition is not letting Parliament function in both houses, what can anyone do by going there?” he said.
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Shah expressed confidence in responding to the Opposition if a discussion were held later in the day, asserting that the Centre has “nothing to hide.” “In Parliament, discussions are held at length. I am ready for the debate to continue from 3 pm today, sitting late into the night and continuing until 3 pm tomorrow,” he added.
What Rahul Gandhi Responded
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said the Opposition was not interested in a “lecture.” Hitting out at the Home Minister, he demanded answers on the alleged use of force against protesters, questioning who ordered the alleged firing and lathicharge against student protesters and seeking accountability from Shah. He also accused the Home Minister of being absent from Parliament and said he lacked the courage to face the House.
#WATCH | Delhi | LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, "The Opposition has clearly said that we are not interested in Amit Shah giving us a lecture. When I say 'we', I mean the younger generation of this country. Who shot the students? Who gave the order to beat up the students with… pic.twitter.com/2TSom00vLe
— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2026
Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament complex, Gandhi said, “The Opposition has clearly said that we are not interested in Amit Shah giving us a lecture. When I say ‘we’, I mean the younger generation of this country. Who shot the students? Who gave the order to beat up the students with lathis with nails? Did Amit Shah give this order to shoot our children? If he did, then he should resign. For the last 20 days, Amit Shah has been missing. The Home Minister of India has no courage; he cannot come to the House.”