NEW DELHI, August 12, 2026 —
Amit Shah Offers 24-Hour Debate, Says He Will Answer Every Opposition Question
Amit Shah Parliament debate offer intensified the political standoff Wednesday as the Union home minister challenged opposition parties to submit their questions and allow a full discussion over student protests, alleged police excesses and other disputed issues.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Shah said opposition lawmakers should submit a written request to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He offered to remain available in the House from 3 p.m. Wednesday until 3 p.m. Thursday to listen to their concerns and respond.
“Let everyone submit their questions in writing,” Shah said. “I will answer all the questions.”
The home minister said the government had nothing to conceal and was prepared for an extended discussion covering every aspect of the controversy.
His offer came as repeated opposition protests continued to disrupt proceedings during the Monsoon Session. Opposition parties have been demanding accountability over allegations concerning police action against protesting students in Delhi, along with a broader discussion of student concerns and reported irregularities involving examinations.
The allegations surrounding police conduct remain contested and should not be treated as established findings without the outcome of an official investigation.
Shah Rejects Claims That He Was ‘Missing’
Shah responded to opposition lawmakers who had repeatedly described him as “missing” or accused him of avoiding Parliament.
He said such expressions had become increasingly common in India’s public and parliamentary discourse, although he had attended Parliament regularly since the session began.
“I have been coming to Parliament continuously since the session started, and I sit in my office,” Shah said.
He argued that his presence alone could not result in a discussion when protests prevented either House from conducting normal business.
According to Shah, the opposition had disrupted proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha while simultaneously accusing him of refusing to answer questions.
‘Let the Public Decide Who Is Avoiding Debate’
The home minister said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had already communicated that the government was willing to hold a comprehensive debate on issues surrounding the student protests and the NEET examinations.
Shah said the government had asked the opposition to agree on a time for the discussion. He noted that a full debate had been among the opposition’s initial demands and that the government had accepted it.
“I have also said that I am ready to answer any question in Parliament,” Shah said. “But they do not want the discussion to take place.”
He called on the public to decide which side was avoiding parliamentary scrutiny.
The government’s position is that opposition parties should first allow the House to function. Opposition leaders, however, maintain that a general speech from the home minister would not meet their demand for specific answers and accountability.
Government Says It Has ‘Nothing to Hide’
Shah asked the opposition to send a formal letter to the Lok Sabha speaker, listing the questions and issues it wanted addressed.
He offered a 24-hour window for debate beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday and ending at 3 p.m. Thursday.
“I will sit in the House, listen to everyone and answer every issue,” Shah said. “The government has nothing to hide.”
He also said he was prepared to discuss why the opposition had not permitted debate to proceed earlier.
Shah maintained that the National Democratic Alliance government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ready to discuss any matter, provided opposition lawmakers allowed parliamentary proceedings to continue.
Rahul Gandhi Rejects Offer for a ‘Lecture’
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responded sharply, saying the opposition was not interested in listening to a speech from the home minister.
Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, said his use of the word “we” referred not only to opposition parties but also to India’s young people.
He demanded answers about who authorized the reported use of force against protesting students.
“Who fired at the students?” Gandhi asked. “Who gave the order to beat students with batons fitted with nails?”
Gandhi asked whether Shah had authorized the alleged police action and said the home minister should resign if he had issued such an order.
These were political allegations and questions raised by Gandhi. The supplied material does not include evidence establishing who authorized the reported actions or whether the specific methods he described were used.
Gandhi also accused Shah of remaining “missing” for the past 20 days and claimed the home minister lacked the courage to appear before Parliament.
Shah rejected that allegation, saying he had been attending Parliament throughout the session.
Sanjay Jaiswal Targets Congress Over Corruption
Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Sanjay Jaiswal separately criticized Congress, alleging that corruption had become widespread in states where the party held power.
He named Telangana, Karnataka and Jharkhand while making the allegation. Congress is not in power in Jharkhand on its own but is part of the state’s governing alliance.
Jaiswal also responded to a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly concerning delimitation.
He said political parties and state legislatures were entitled to express their views. However, he maintained that Parliament would ultimately determine the number of seats and how the delimitation process would be conducted.
Parliament Deadlock Continues
The confrontation between the government and opposition has dominated the Monsoon Session and led to repeated interruptions in parliamentary proceedings.
The government says it has agreed to the opposition’s original demand for a debate and that Shah is willing to respond to questions. Opposition leaders argue that the government must first provide direct answers and accept accountability for the alleged treatment of student protesters.
Whether Shah’s 24-hour offer can break the deadlock will depend on the two sides agreeing on the format, scope and timing of the discussion.
