Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday, August 11, asked the government and the opposition to arrive at a common ground so that Parliament can debate on key
Bills that bring far-reaching changes in the country. "I feel anguished when the House does not function," Birla said. Since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, the Lok Sabha could not complete the Question Hour, and several Bills were passed amid din without a debate. There has been a persistent demand from the opposition for a statement from the home minister on the police action against students protesting in the city last month. Shah has not been seen in the House in the ongoing Monsoon session even though he has been regularly coming to Parliament House complex. Birla said in the House that the government has agreed to the opposition's demand on a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the police action, adding that other issues can also be discussed if the House functions without disruptions. He asked the Opposition and Treasury benches have to arrive at a common ground and engage in constructive discussion. "The people of the country also want to see discussions in Parliament," Birla said. Birla's fresh appeal to opposition came a day after the government had said the opposition should not run away from debate and listen to the home minister without disruptions. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government is ready for a full-fledged discussion in Lok Sabha on the student protests and police action across the country and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate, provided the opposition promises not to disrupt and listens peacefully. But the opposition has insisted that the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya should also be discussed. As the stalemate continued on Tuesday, Birla on Tuesday adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.
