Amit Shah says ready for NEET debate from 3 pm, puts ball in Opposition’s court

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the government was ready for a detailed discussion in Parliament on the student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, challenging the Opposition to submit a letter to the Speaker by 2 pm so that the debate could begin at 3 pm.

Shah said the government was prepared to discuss all aspects of the protests and that he would personally answer questions raised by the Opposition.

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Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Shah accused the Opposition of preventing the House from functioning and questioned its repeated demands for a response from him.

"Words like 'missing', 'fled', and 'fugitive' - this kind of language is being heard recently in India's public and parliamentary life. 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?" Shah said.

He said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had already made the government's position clear on holding a discussion on the student protests.

"As far as the discussion is concerned, Kiren Rijiju, who is our Parliamentary Affairs Minister, has made it very clear that the government is ready to discuss every aspect of the student protests regarding NEET. Let a time be fixed for the discussion and the opposition should get ready," he said.

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Shah said he was also willing to answer questions in the House, but alleged that the Opposition was not interested in allowing a discussion to take place.

"On my part, I have also said that I am ready to answer any question in Parliament. But they don't want the discussion to happen at all. Now let the public decide who is running away. Even today I say, let them give that letter to the Speaker by 3:00 PM today," he said.

Shah offers 24-hour window for discussion

The Home Minister proposed that the discussion begin at 3 pm on Wednesday and continue until 3 pm on Thursday, saying he would remain in the House and respond to the issues raised.

"From 3:00 PM today until 3:00 PM tomorrow, we are ready for all kinds of discussion. I will sit in the House myself, listen to everyone, and answer everything. The government has nothing to hide," Shah said.

He also said he was willing to address the Opposition's reasons for seeking the discussion and offered to extend the proceedings late into the night if required.

"I will also discuss why you didn't want a discussion. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government under PM Modi's leadership is ready to discuss everything. Just let the Parliament function," he said.

Shah urged the Opposition to send its request to the Speaker by 2 pm, saying the government was prepared to begin the debate an hour later.

"Today, through the channels, I want to tell the opposition to give a letter to the Speaker by 2:00 PM. We will start the discussion from 3:00 PM, and by 3:00 PM tomorrow, I will give answers to everything," he said.

He rejected the Opposition's demand for a standalone statement, saying parliamentary rules provided for a detailed discussion on serious issues.

"Rules and methods have been made for discussion in Parliament. Now someone tells me to give a statement - such a serious issue cannot be discussed in this way. This might be your method, but this is not the parliamentary method. There is a detailed discussion in Parliament," Shah said.

He added that the government was even prepared to suspend Question Hour, subject to the Speaker's approval, to facilitate the discussion.

"From 3:00 PM today until late night as long as they sit, and tomorrow until 3:00 PM, we are even ready to suspend Question Hour if the Speaker permits. I am ready for the discussion until 3:00 PM tomorrow. I will sit myself, note down everything, and answer everything so that everything becomes clear to the people of the country," he said.

Shah ended by putting the onus on the Opposition to decide whether to participate in a debate or continue with protests.

"Now the opposition has to decide whether they want a discussion or to create a ruckus," the Home Minister said.

Opposition protests against Shah

Shah's remarks came amid a continuing confrontation between the government and the Opposition over the student protests related to the alleged NEET paper leak and police action against demonstrators.

The issue has repeatedly disrupted proceedings in Parliament, with Opposition parties demanding answers from the government and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking a response from Shah.

Earlier on Wednesday, Opposition leaders held a demonstration against the Centre, raising slogans of "Amit Shah Jawab Do" (Amit Shah, provide an answer).

The Opposition has focused its attack on the Home Minister over what it alleges was excessive use of force by police against students protesting in Delhi and other states.