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New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday reiterated three demands he described as “non-negotiables” for ending the ongoing
deadlock in Parliament, including a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the alleged firing during student protests, an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accountability over the alleged theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Hitting hard at the government that he is not interested in Amit Shah's speech, Gandhi said the Opposition's demand was not for a general discussion but for specific answers from the government on the three issues.
Rahul Gandhi Demands Amit Shah Explain Student Firing
Gandhi said the Home Minister must clarify who authorised the alleged use of firearms and force against students during protests linked to the NEET paper leak.
"The question was always that Amit Shah has to make it clear who authorised the shooting of our youngsters in Delhi. Pellet guns were fired, students were beaten with lathis with nails on them. He should come clean. Did he order it or did he not order it? If he ordered it, he is guilty of getting our children shot. And if he didn't know about it happening, he's incompetent. Either way, he should go. This was the discussion," Rahul Gandhi said in a press conference.
He accused the government of failing to address the issue in Parliament despite repeated demands from the Opposition.
‘PM Modi Must Apologise’: Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi said the second demand was an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the handling of the student protests.
"The question was never that Amit Shah is going to come and give a speech on some general topics in Parliament. Second, the Prime Minister apologises for what has happened. And third was the issue of the Ram temple theft.
People very close to the Prime Minister have stolen from the Ram Mandir. These are the three issues," Rahul Gandhi said.
The Congress leader maintained that the Opposition wanted the government to directly address these specific issues rather than hold what he termed generalised discussions.
Ram Temple Theft Allegation Among Opposition Demands
Gandhi also reiterated the Opposition's demand for accountability over an alleged theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He alleged that people close to the Prime Minister were involved in the matter and said the issue must be addressed in Parliament.
Gandhi said the Opposition was not interested in what he called “fantasy conversations” from the Home Minister, insisting that the government first answer whether Amit Shah authorised the alleged firing against students.
"We are interested in whether he authorised or didn't authorise the shooting of our children. First, he should make that abundantly clear. After that, the question of any discussion arises. That is the situation. And that is what the opposition is demanding. That is what we have been demanding for the last 15 days," he said.
‘Neither PM Nor Home Minister Had Courage’: Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi further accused the Prime Minister and Home Minister of avoiding Parliament over the issue for the past two weeks.
"For 15 days, neither Prime Minister nor home minister had courage to come to Parliament, guts to own up to what they have done," he said.
Government Says Amit Shah Ready To Respond
Gandhi's remarks came hours after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was ready for a detailed discussion on the student protests and that Amit Shah was prepared to respond in Parliament.
Rijiju, however, urged Opposition members not to disrupt proceedings when the Home Minister makes his statement.
"The offer made by the government is very clear that it is ready to have a full and detailed discussion on students' movement and activities related to it," news agency ANI quoted Rijiju as saying.
Rijiju stressed that the government should be allowed to present its response before further objections are raised.
"My only point made to the opposition is that while the discussion and a reply are being made, the opposition should not create disturbances to prevent the statement of the home minister," he said.
"They must listen to the reply of the home minister and the government. Once discussion begins, we must have a threadbare discussion."
Parliament Deadlock Continues
The contrasting positions underline the continuing impasse between the government and the Opposition, with the Congress insisting on specific answers and accountability while the government maintains that it is willing to hold a detailed discussion.
The immediate focus is now on whether the proposed statement by Amit Shah can pave the way for a broader discussion and help break the deadlock in Parliament.
