‘Not Interested’: Rahul Gandhi Rejects Amit Shah’s Debate Offer Over Student Protest

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday rejected Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s offer for a detailed debate in Parliament on the alleged police action against students during the July 20 protest over the NEET paper leak.

Gandhi said the Opposition wanted accountability rather than a “lecture” from Shah, and questioned who ordered the alleged firing and lathicharge against the protesting students.

‘Who Ordered The Police Action?’

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi directly challenged Shah over the alleged use of force against the protesters.

“The Opposition has clearly said that we are not interested in Amit Shah giving us a lecture,” Gandhi said, adding that the demand was for answers from the government.

“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,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi Accuses Shah Of Avoiding Parliament

Gandhi also accused the Home Minister of being absent from Parliament and questioned his willingness to face the Opposition in the House.

“For the last 20 days, Amit Shah has been missing. The Home Minister of India has no courage; he cannot come to the House,” Gandhi said.

His remarks came shortly after Shah said the government was prepared to hold a detailed discussion on the student protests and the alleged police action.

Shah Offers 24-Hour Debate Window

Earlier on Wednesday, Shah said he was “ready to answer everything” and proposed that the Opposition submit a letter to the Speaker by 2 pm so that the debate could begin at 3 pm and continue until 3 pm on Thursday.

Shah said he would listen to the Opposition’s arguments and respond to every issue raised, provided Parliament was allowed to function.

The Home Minister also accused the Opposition of deliberately preventing a discussion despite the government accepting its demand for a debate.

Parliament Standoff Continues

The exchange between Shah and Gandhi comes amid a continuing standoff in Parliament over the July 20 student protests linked to the NEET paper leak issue.

While the government has offered a detailed discussion, the Opposition has continued to demand accountability over the alleged police action, keeping the confrontation between the two sides unresolved.