'Will give detailed reply...': Amit Shah offers debate on student crackdown, Rahul Gandhi rejects

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday offered to respond to the Opposition’s questions over the crackdown on protesting students in Delhi, but Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi rejected the proposal within minutes.

Speaking for the first time on the issue, Shah accused the Opposition of avoiding a discussion in Parliament and disrupting its proceedings. He said he was ready to answer questions during a debate and promised to give a detailed response after it.

"Let's start the debate from 3 pm today. I will sit in the House and will give a detailed reply at 3 pm on Thursday," Shah said.

Shah maintained that the Opposition could not demand a standalone statement from him without following parliamentary procedure. He said a discussion was necessary before he could respond to the allegations.

"There are rules of discussion in Parliament. I can't just give a statement on such a crucial issue. Let the debate happen and I will give a detailed response," Shah said.

Shah says Opposition not letting House function

The Home Minister also hit back at Opposition leaders who had accused him of avoiding Parliament and used words such as "bhagoda" and "lapata" against him.

Shah said he comes to Parliament every day but does not enter the House because of the disruptions.

"I am here every day in my chamber. I don't go inside the House as Opposition is not letting it function," Shah said.

He also challenged the Opposition to begin the discussion by 3 pm, saying he would answer all the questions raised during the debate.

Rahul Gandhi rejects Shah’s challenge

The Opposition has been targeting Shah over the lathicharge on protesting students in Delhi on July 20. Rahul Gandhi has demanded that the Home Minister explain who ordered the use of force against the protesters, including the firing of pellet guns.

Reacting to Shah’s statement, Gandhi said the youth did not want to hear the Home Minister and reiterated his demand for Shah’s resignation.

"Who gave the order to shoot the students? Delhi Police and RAF come under Home Ministry. Did Amit Shah give the order? If he did, he is culpable, if he didn't, he is incompetent. In both cases, he should resign," Rahul Gandhi said.

He added that the government had no answers and was "scared", rejecting Shah’s call for a parliamentary debate.