New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) After it was assured in the Lok Sabha that the Union Home Minister is ready to make a statement on the students’ protest, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal questioned why Amit Shah was absent from the House for days and is now willing to make a statement only when the Monsoon Session is ending in two days.
Amid the heavy sloganeering from the Opposition Benches in the Lok Sabha, Rijiju told the House that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will make a statement about the students’ protest and called upon the Opposition not to “run away” during the discussion.
Speaking to the reporters, Venugopal said, “That is what we have been asking for from Day 1. Since July 21, we have been demanding a statement from the Home Minister. But since July 21, the Home Minister has been absent from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.”
“Now, only two days are left. The session is going to be adjourned sine die on Thursday. Where is the Home Minister?” he questioned.
Earlier, Venugopal wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him to direct the Home Minister to make a statement in the House regarding the police action against demonstrators.
In his letter to the Speaker, the Congress MP raised concerns over what he described as reports of police brutality and the disproportionate use of force, including the alleged firing of pellet guns, against students and young protesters in the national Capital.
Referring to his letter, Venugopal said, “I wrote a letter to the Speaker, citing constitutional provisions. Power lies with the Speaker to ask the Home Minister to come and make a statement related to atrocities against the students… Every minister is accountable to Parliament.”
“Amit Shah ji is completely hiding; I don’t know where he is going. There were two Bills which he should have presented, but he did not come,” Venugopal added.
The Monsoon Session entered its last week on Monday. However, the Opposition continued its protest over the NEET paper leak issue and the police action against the protestors on July 20.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, after the proceedings were resumed, Rijiju said, “Congress and Rahul Gandhi were demanding that Home Minister Amit Shah should give a statement. The government is ready to discuss the students’ issue and the Home Minister is ready to give a detailed reply. “
–IANS
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