NEW DELHI, August 12, 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday challenged Opposition parties to submit a formal request to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for a debate on the NEET controversy, students’ protests and related issues, assuring that he would remain present throughout the discussion and respond to all questions.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament House complex, Shah said the government was ready for a comprehensive debate and had “nothing to hide.”
He urged the Opposition to submit a letter to the Speaker by 2 pm, saying the government was prepared for discussions from 3 pm on Wednesday until 3 pm on Thursday.
Shah: Government Ready for Every Question
Shah said the choice now rested with the Opposition—whether to participate in a parliamentary debate or continue disrupting proceedings.
He maintained that since the Monsoon Session began on July 20, he had regularly attended Parliament and remained available, but repeated disruptions had prevented the Houses from functioning normally.
The Home Minister rejected allegations that he was avoiding a debate, saying the government had already made its position clear through Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who had offered a full-fledged discussion on the students’ protests and police action linked to the NEET issue.
NEET Protests Trigger Parliament Standoff
The Opposition’s protests initially focused on the NEET paper leak controversy and allegations concerning donations related to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The Opposition subsequently demanded a discussion specifically on police action against students protesting over the NEET issue, along with the presence and statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The prolonged confrontation has resulted in repeated disruptions in both Houses, with the Monsoon Session scheduled to conclude on Thursday.
Shah said that if the Opposition genuinely wanted answers, it should allow the debate to take place.
He also questioned the Opposition’s allegations that he was “running away” from Parliament, asking who was actually avoiding discussion when the House was repeatedly disrupted.
Rahul Gandhi Rejects Shah’s Challenge
Soon after Shah’s remarks, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi rejected the government’s offer.
Gandhi said the Opposition was not interested in listening to what he described as a “lecture” from Shah. He said the country’s younger generation wanted answers regarding allegations that protesting students were targeted with pellet guns.
Gandhi further argued that if Shah had ordered such action, he should be held responsible, while if he had not, he should be held accountable for failing to prevent it.
Government- Opposition Face-Off Intensifies
The exchange has further intensified the political confrontation over the NEET controversy and student protests as Parliament’s Monsoon Session approaches its conclusion.
While the government maintains that it is prepared to discuss all aspects of the issue, the Opposition continues to demand accountability over the alleged treatment of protesting students and wants senior government leaders to answer directly on the floor of the House.
With only a day remaining in the session, the possibility of a substantive debate now depends on whether both sides can agree on the terms and allow parliamentary proceedings to continue without disruption.
