India Government Offers Debate on Student Protests, Opposition Rejects

The Indian government has declared its readiness for a full parliamentary debate on recent student protests and police actions, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah set to respond, but the Opposition has rejected the offer, demanding he first answer who authorized the use of force. The standoff has contributed to repeated disruptions in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced on Monday that the government is prepared for a detailed discussion on student and youth agitations across the country, including the police response to protests. He stated that Home Minister Amit Shah will provide a point-by-point reply on behalf of the government. However, Rijiju emphasized that the Opposition must assure it will participate peacefully and not disrupt proceedings during the minister's statement.

The Opposition, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, has refused this framework. Gandhi demanded that Shah must first clarify who ordered the firing on students during a protest in Delhi on July 20. He stated that the Opposition's primary condition is an answer on whether Shah authorized the police action, which included the use of pellet...