3 weeks ago
Congress questions Amit Shah's absence as Monsoon Session nears end
In India's Parliament, some politicians were not happy.
They are part of the Opposition, which includes the Congress party.
The Opposition wanted the Home Minister to explain what happened during a students' protest in New Delhi.
Police used force against the students, and the Opposition said the force was too strong, including the use of pellet guns.
The Home Minister, Amit Shah, is the minister in charge of such matters, but he did not come to Parliament for many days.
A Congress leader named K.C. Venugopal asked, "Where is the Home Minister?"
The government said Amit Shah is ready to give a detailed answer and asked the Opposition to stay for the discussion.
The Parliament session ends on Thursday, so only two days are left.
The Opposition wants the Home Minister to speak and answer for the police action before the session ends.
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal questioned where Home Minister Amit Shah was, noting he has been absent from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha since July 21.
The government, through Kiren Rijiju, assured the Lok Sabha that Amit Shah will make a statement on the students' protest and urged the Opposition not to 'run away' from the discussion.
Venugopal wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking a directive for the Home Minister to make a statement on police action against demonstrators.
The Congress cited reports of police brutality, disproportionate use of force and the alleged firing of pellet guns against student protesters in the national Capital.
The Monsoon Session is set to be adjourned sine die on Thursday, with the Opposition also protesting the NEET paper leak issue.
- Who
- Congress MP K.C. Venugopal, Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
- What
- The Opposition demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement on police action against student protesters; the government assured the Lok Sabha that he would speak.
- Where
- The Lok Sabha (Parliament) in New Delhi; the students' protest took place in the national Capital.
- When
- During the final two days of the Monsoon Session, which is to be adjourned sine die on Thursday; the Congress has demanded a statement since July 21.
- Why
- The Congress raised concerns over alleged police brutality, disproportionate use of force and pellet gun firing against student protesters, and insists ministers are accountable to Parliament.
Congress-led Opposition
Government
Home Minister's accountability
Congress-led Opposition
Amit Shah has been absent from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha since July 21 despite repeated demands; the Speaker should compel him to make a statement on police action against students.
Government
The Home Minister is ready to make a statement and give a detailed reply, and the government called on the Opposition not to 'run away' from the discussion.
Police action against student protesters
Congress-led Opposition
The Congress cited reports of police brutality, disproportionate use of force and the alleged firing of pellet guns against students and young protesters in the national Capital.
Government
The government is ready to discuss the students' issue in the House and the Home Minister will give a detailed reply, per the assurance given in the Lok Sabha.
Key facts
- Home Minister
- Amit Shah
- Congress MP
- K.C. Venugopal
- Lok Sabha Speaker
- Om Birla
- Statement demanded since
- July 21
- Police action against protesters
- July 20
- Session adjournment (sine die)
- Thursday
- Other protest issue
- NEET paper leak
- Venue
- Lok Sabha, New Delhi
Quotes
K.C. Venugopal
Congress MP and Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha
“"I wrote a letter to the Speaker, citing constitutional provisions. Power lies with the Speaker to ask the Home Minister to come and make a statement related to atrocities against the students... Every minister is accountable to Parliament."”
thehansindia.com
“"That is what we have been asking for from Day 1. Since July 21, we have been demanding a statement from the Home Minister. But since July 21, the Home Minister has been absent from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha."”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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