'They never wanted discussion, more interested in uproar': Meghwal slams opposition over disruptions

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Thursday accused the Opposition, particularly the Congress, of repeatedly shifting its position during the Monsoon Session of Parliament and alleged that it was more interested in creating an uproar than participating in substantive discussions. His remarks came after the stormy Monsoon Session concluded on Thursday, with both Houses witnessing repeated disruptions over issues including the NEET paper leak and protests involving students.

Targets Congress

Meghwal said the Opposition's approach had changed repeatedly since an all-party meeting of floor leaders held ahead of the session.

According to him, the primary demand raised at the July 19 meeting was an immediate discussion on the NEET examination paper leak. However, he alleged that once a discussion began, Opposition parties shifted their position and demanded that accountability first be fixed.

Meghwal argued that this demonstrated that the Opposition was not genuinely interested in allowing a parliamentary debate to proceed.

Claims Opposition divided

The Union minister also claimed that differences emerged among Opposition parties over the issues they wanted Parliament to take up.

He said the Samajwadi Party wanted to discuss alleged irregularities concerning offerings at the Ram Mandir, while the Congress prioritised the alleged mistreatment of students.

Meghwal alleged that instead of reaching a common position and participating in debate, Opposition parties repeatedly disrupted proceedings.

"They didn't actually want a discussion; they wanted an uproar," Meghwal said, according to the ANI report. He also claimed that Home Minister Amit Shah had been kept waiting despite being prepared to participate in a discussion.

The government had earlier said Shah was ready to respond to a debate on the NEET protests, but the proposed discussion failed to break the parliamentary deadlock.

Hits out at Rahul

Meghwal also launched a personal attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of using language that was neither restrained nor dignified.

He alleged that Gandhi frequently made accusations without following them up through parliamentary discussion and claimed this had become his political approach.

The minister also invoked freedom of expression while responding to Gandhi's repeated criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arguing that the Congress leader was able to make such remarks precisely because democratic freedoms allowed him to do so.

Gandhi, for his part, had rejected the government's offer for a debate involving Shah, arguing that the Opposition wanted answers and accountability rather than a "lecture".

Delimitation debate

Meghwal also addressed the contentious issue of delimitation, maintaining that the exercise was a constitutional requirement.

Taking another swipe at the Opposition, he said its leaders carried copies of the Constitution but did not properly read its provisions.

He pointed to the constitutional freeze on the readjustment of parliamentary seats and argued that delimitation would have to be undertaken after the stipulated process following 2026.

The issue has acquired additional significance because implementation of women's reservation in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies is linked to a delimitation exercise following the relevant census.

Stormy session ends

The Monsoon Session concluded on August 13 after 19 sittings spread across 25 days. Proceedings were repeatedly disrupted by clashes between the government and Opposition over the NEET controversy, student protests and other issues.

Despite the disruptions, legislative business continued. Reports said 11 Bills were passed by both Houses during the session, although the amount of time available for detailed debate was sharply affected by repeated adjournments.

The government blamed the Opposition for the low productivity and accused it of avoiding debate, while Opposition parties maintained that the government had failed to adequately address their demands for accountability on major issues.

Meghwal's remarks at the end of the session reflected that continuing divide, with both sides blaming each other for a Monsoon Session dominated as much by protests and adjournments as by legislative business.