3 weeks ago
Congress calls Amit Shah coward for skipping Parliament discussion
The story is about a big argument between leaders who make laws in a country called India.
Many young people were angry because they said big exams were not managed well.
They held protests in Delhi, the capital city, and police stopped them and some people got hurt.
The minister responsible for education, Dharmendra Pradhan, later resigned.
The opposition leaders wanted the home minister, Amit Shah, to come to Parliament and explain what happened to the protesting students.
But he did not come, so they called him a coward.
The government's leaders said Amit Shah was ready to answer their questions.
They also said a leader named Rahul Gandhi ran away instead of joining the debate.
Both groups of leaders held their own small protests outside the Parliament building.
Congress accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of being a 'coward' for not attending the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Shah's absence from both Houses for 17 sitting days was 'truly unprecedented.'
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rejected the charge, saying the government was ready for a 'complete and detailed discussion' and accused Rahul Gandhi of running away from the debate.
Opposition and NDA MPs held separate protests at the Parliament complex, with BJP leaders raising police action against students in Jharkhand.
The agitation began June 6 over alleged exam mismanagement, grew after the July 20 police crackdown injured dozens, and led to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on July 25.
- Who
- Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responding for the government.
- What
- Congress accused Amit Shah of being a 'coward' for not attending Parliament to discuss police action against youth protesters in Delhi on July 20.
- Where
- The Lok Sabha and Parliament complex in Delhi, India; the original protest campaign began at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
- When
- Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during the Monsoon Session that began July 20 and was scheduled to conclude on Thursday.
- Why
- The Opposition demanded a discussion on the July 20 police crackdown on youth protesters and wanted Shah, whose ministry oversees the Delhi Police, to answer in the House.
Opposition (Congress)
Government (NDA/BJP)
Amit Shah's absence from Parliament
Opposition (Congress)
Shah's absence from both Houses for 17 sitting days is 'truly unprecedented' and proves that 'those who intimidate are themselves cowards.'
Government (NDA/BJP)
The government is ready for a 'complete and detailed discussion' on the protests and police action, and Shah is ready with his reply.
Responsibility for police action
Opposition (Congress)
The comparison with Jharkhand is misplaced because the Delhi Police comes under Shah, while Rahul Gandhi is neither chief minister nor home minister of Jharkhand.
Government (NDA/BJP)
BJP leaders raised police action against students in Jharkhand, where the Congress is part of the ruling Mahagathbandhan alliance led by Hemant Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.
Who is avoiding the debate
Opposition (Congress)
Congress MPs demanded Shah's presence in Parliament and said he was a no-show despite business being listed against his name.
Government (NDA/BJP)
Kiren Rijiju accused Rahul Gandhi of having 'run away' and shouted slogans outside Parliament instead of participating in the debate.
Key facts
- Home Minister
- Amit Shah, absent from both Houses for 17 sitting days
- Trigger event
- Police action against youth protesters in Delhi on July 20
- Injuries
- Dozens injured, with protesters reporting injuries from lathis and pellet guns
- Resignation
- Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union education minister on July 25
- Protest origin
- June 6 at Jantar Mantar by the Cockroach Janta Party demanding Pradhan's resignation
- Monsoon Session
- Began July 20; scheduled to conclude on Thursday
- Parliamentary request
- Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan asked the government to consider the Opposition's request for Shah's presence
Quotes
Jairam Ramesh
Congress MP and leader of the opposition
“the government was ready for a "complete and detailed discussion"”
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“Union Home Minister Amit Shah was a "no-show" in the Lok Sabha”
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