3 weeks ago
Minister Frustrated as Government Wants Debate, Opposition Refuses
The people who make laws for India work together in a big building called Parliament.
Recently, they were meeting for a special time called the Monsoon Session.
But not much work got done because the two main groups were fighting.
Students had protested on July 20, and police used force, including pellet guns, against them.
The Opposition wants Home Minister Amit Shah to explain what happened.
The government says it is ready to talk about it in a big debate.
The leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, said young people do not want to listen to Amit Shah.
Rahul Gandhi thinks Amit Shah should resign because he either gave the order or failed to stop the violence.
Minister Kiren Rijiju said he was frustrated and sad.
He said it is not good for democracy when Parliament cannot work together.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said he was 'totally frustrated' after Parliament was adjourned yet again.
Rijiju called it the first time in the parliamentary system that the government wanted a debate while the Opposition was 'running away'.
The Monsoon Session has been a virtual washout over the Opposition's demand for Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on the crackdown on students during the July 20 protest.
Amit Shah offered to give a detailed statement after a debate and wrote to Speaker Om Birla asking him to convince the Opposition to agree.
Rahul Gandhi rejected the proposal, saying Shah should resign because he is either culpable if he ordered the action or incompetent if he didn't.
- Who
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Speaker Om Birla
- What
- The Monsoon Session was stalled as the government offered a debate on the July 20 student protest crackdown while the Opposition refused, demanding Amit Shah's statement.
- Where
- Indian Parliament
- When
- Thursday, the last day of the Monsoon Session; the July 20 student protest was also referenced
- Why
- The Opposition demanded a statement from Amit Shah on the use of force and pellet guns against protesting students, while the government accused the Opposition of running away from debate.
Government Side
Opposition Side
Debate on student protests
Government Side
The government wants a debate and Amit Shah is ready to give a detailed statement and answer all questions raised by the Opposition.
Opposition Side
The Opposition refuses the debate, with Rahul Gandhi saying the youth of the country don't want to listen to Amit Shah.
Responsibility for the July 20 crackdown
Government Side
Amit Shah is willing to remain present in the House and answer all queries about the use of force against students.
Opposition Side
Rahul Gandhi says Shah is culpable if he gave the order to shoot students and incompetent if he didn't, and should resign in either case.
Blame for the stalled session
Government Side
Rijiju called the Opposition 'running away' from discussion and said it is 'not good for democracy' and 'not good for the country'.
Opposition Side
The Opposition stalled the session to press its demand for the Home Minister's statement on the student crackdown.
Key facts
- Event
- Monsoon Session virtual washout
- Session Status
- Stalled; Thursday was the last day of the Monsoon Session
- Government Position
- Wants a debate and is prepared to answer all questions
- Opposition Demand
- Amit Shah's statement on the July 20 student protest crackdown
- Amit Shah's Offer
- Detailed statement at the end of a debate; letter to Speaker Om Birla
- Rahul Gandhi's Response
- Rejected the debate; demanded Shah's resignation
- Rijiju's Response
- 'Totally frustrated'; called Congress' refusal 'irresponsible'
- Offered Concession
- Extend sitting hours if Congress allows the discussion
Quotes
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in the Indian government
“"I am totally frustrated. For the first time in my life, I am witnessing a scenario where the government wants a discussion in Parliament, yet the Opposition is running away from it."”
NDTV
Sources
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