Union Home Minister Amit Shah threw a direct challenge to Opposition parties in Parliament on Wednesday. He offered to sit through a 24-hour marathon debate starting at 3 PM today and running straight through until 3 PM tomorrow.
Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament complex, Shah dismissed allegations that he had been missing from the House. Consequently, he urged Opposition leaders to submit a formal letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla by 2 PM to initiate the discussion immediately.
“I Will Sit, Take Notes, and Respond to Everything”
During his address, Amit Shah sharply criticized Opposition members for repeatedly stalling legislative proceedings while claiming the government avoids scrutiny. Furthermore, he rejected derogatory political remarks suggesting that he was running away from parliamentary debate.
Shah emphasized that the ruling NDA government has nothing to hide regarding student protests, security protocols, or administrative decisions.
He promised to sit in the House through the entire night, personally note down every objection, and deliver a comprehensive point-by-point response.
Therefore, he insisted that the public should now judge which side is genuinely evading a democratic discussion.
Background: Weeks of Standoff Over Student Protests
The ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament has faced severe disruptions over the past two weeks. Opposition parties led by the Congress have consistently demanded an official statement from the Home Minister regarding alleged police excesses during student demonstrations over the NEET paper leak issue.
Although Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju repeatedly stated that the government stood fully prepared for a detailed debate, the deadlock persisted. Opposition leaders expanded their demands to include formal apologies and broader administrative accountability.
Meanwhile, Shah clarified that he regularly attends his Parliament office every morning and stays until late night. He reiterated that the government remains ready to suspend scheduled routine business—including Question Hour—if the Speaker grants permission for a continuous debate.
Escalating War of Words Between Government and Congress
The Home Minister’s challenge comes on the heels of a sharp political exchange between the ruling party and Congress leaders. On Tuesday, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on social media calling Shah a “no-show” in the Lok Sabha despite legislative business listed against his name.
Rijiju immediately hit back at the allegations, stating that Shah had his complete reply ready but could not speak due to continuous Opposition shouting and disruptions. Rijiju argued that the Opposition prefers creating a ruckus outside the House over engaging in structured debate inside.
With Shah’s open 24-hour challenge now on the table, the spotlight shifts back to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office to see if both sides will agree to a non-stop parliamentary session.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
