Rahul rejects govt’s offer for discussion on NEET protest

Lok Sabha witnessed heightened chaos on Wednesday following the government's announcement that opposition Home Minister Amit Shah was prepared to engage in a discussion and respond to the NEET protest. However, the BJP's attempt to resolve the deadlock that has largely halted Parliament's monsoon session was derailed on the last day.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi asserted that the youth of the nation is uninterested in Shah's lectures and imaginative perspectives, and he should instead provide details regarding the use of pellet guns and nail-studded lathis against student protesters at Jantar Mantar. Following numerous adjournments, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Lok Sabha that Shah had written a letter to the Speaker, stating that a discussion on the NEET protest could commence immediately, and he would provide a response.

Rijiju urged the opposition to remain calm during the discussion, emphasizing that "the Home Minister is waiting." He claimed that there were only two days remaining in the session, while the opposition was avoiding participation. Nevertheless, the opposition escalated their protests, disrupting the well. Presiding Officer Jagdambika Pal repeatedly expressed readiness to initiate the discussion if Members returned to their seats.

However, the opposition remained unwilling to compromise. Rahul, addressing reporters, stated that there was no need for a discussion, and Shah should simply inform the House "who authorized the shooting of students, who shot the students, and who instructed the use of nail-studded lathis against students." Rahul alleged that Shah had been absent from the House for 20 days despite arriving and departing Parliament in "30 cars every day."

He further claimed that a thousand police officers were stationed outside Shah's residence to prevent students from accessing his home. Rahul remarked, "Shah lacks courage; his balloon has burst." During the rejection of Shah's discussion offer, Congress's KC Venugopal stated that Shah had not attended the Lok Sabha throughout the day.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gaurav Gogoi accused him of complicating the matter by proposing a discussion on the NEET protest. "The issue was debated over two days under the unfair means bill debate; Shah's response is still pending," Gogoi remarked. Shortly before the proceedings commenced, the Speaker called Venugopal to inquire about the opposition's response to Shah's discussion offer, only to be told that the opposition was steadfast in demanding a statement from Shah and a discussion on the Ram temple "Chanda Chori."