New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 12 said the government was ready to discuss every issue in Parliament, including the NEET-related student protests, but accused the Opposition of repeatedly disrupting proceedings and preventing the House from functioning.
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "First of all, terms like 'laapata', 'bhaag gaye' are the kind of language increasingly being heard in India's public and parliamentary life. I have been coming to Parliament regularly since the session began; I sit in my… pic.twitter.com/sLaYv9fFSn
— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2026
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Shah said the government had “nothing to hide” and was prepared to answer every question raised by the Opposition. He also challenged Opposition leaders to approach the Speaker and schedule a discussion on the issue.
“I am ready for a discussion on every issue, but they are not allowing the House to function. The government has nothing to hide. I will also discuss why you did not allow the discussion to take place,” Shah said. His remarks came amid Opposition demands for a government statement on the protests by students over the NEET issue. Shah said parliamentary rules had to be followed for a discussion to take place and rejected the demand that the government should simply make a statement without a structured debate.
“There are rules for discussion in Parliament. Some people say, ‘Give a statement.’ Discussion cannot happen like this,” he said. “Let the Opposition decide whether it wants a discussion or prefers to create a ruckus,” Shah said, stressing that parliamentary rules allow for a detailed debate rather than merely seeking a standalone statement.
Amit Shah said he was prepared to participate in a detailed discussion from 3 pm on Wednesday until 3 pm on Thursday, adding that he was ready to respond to questions on every aspect of the issue. “I was ready to discuss from 3 pm today until late at night, and I am ready to discuss until 3 pm tomorrow. I will answer every question so that everything is clear before the country,” he said.
The Home Minister also rejected allegations that he was avoiding Parliament. He said he had been attending the House regularly since the beginning of the session and was available in his chamber, but could not participate in a debate because Opposition members were disrupting proceedings.
‘Let the Public Decide Who Is Running Away’
Taking a direct swipe at the Opposition, Shah objected to descriptions such as “laapata” and “bhaag gaye”, saying such language was increasingly being heard in public and parliamentary discourse.
“I have been coming to Parliament regularly since the session began; I sit in my chamber, but since the Opposition is not allowing Parliament to function—in either House—what is one supposed to do?” Shah said.
He then challenged the Opposition to let the public decide who was actually avoiding a parliamentary discussion. “Now, let the public decide who is running away,” he said.
Amit Shah also referred to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s earlier position that the government was willing to hold a detailed discussion on the NEET protests.
According to Shah, the Opposition had initially demanded a discussion, and the government had agreed to the demand. He said the government had also sought a suitable time to conduct the debate.
“Kiren Rijiju, our Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, has made it very clear that the government is ready for a full discussion regarding the NEET protests,” Shah said. He added that he was personally ready to answer questions in Parliament and urged the Opposition to approach the Speaker to formally schedule the discussion.
‘Government Has Nothing to Hide’
Amit Shah reiterated that the government was willing to discuss all aspects of the NEET protests and answer questions raised by members of Parliament.
“Let them submit a letter to the Speaker by 3:00 PM today. We are ready for a discussion on all aspects from 3:00 PM today until 3:00 PM tomorrow. I will sit in the House; I will listen to everyone and respond to every point,” he said. He further said the government was even prepared to discuss why the Opposition had allegedly prevented the debate from taking place.
“The government has nothing to hide,” Shah said, asserting that the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ready to discuss any issue, provided Parliament was allowed to function.
The remarks have intensified the political confrontation over the NEET protests, with the Opposition pressing for the government to address concerns raised by students, while the government maintains that it is ready for a comprehensive debate and has accused the Opposition of obstructing parliamentary proceedings.
