06 August,2026 02:05 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the Rajya Sabha as the Opposition demands a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the July 20 Jantar Mantar police action. File Pic
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in the House regarding the police action against protesters during the July 20 demonstration at Jantar Mantar. He said the Opposition was prepared for a discussion on the issue and reiterated its demand for a response from the Home Minister.
Raising the matter in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge criticised Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju over his earlier remarks and referred to observations made by former Union Minister Arun Jaitley on parliamentary disruptions. He alleged that the government was trying to avoid a discussion on the issue despite repeated demands from the Opposition.
Kharge maintained that the Opposition wanted a discussion on the police action and insisted that the Home Minister should make a statement in the House. The Opposition has been pressing for such a statement since the matter was raised during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Responding to Kharge, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Leader of the Opposition had not cited any specific rule while making his demand. He added that the Leader of the Opposition could not dictate the proceedings of the House or decide which minister should respond on behalf of the government.
Rijiju said it was the collective responsibility of the government to respond in Parliament and remarked that the Congress should also provide opportunities to new members to participate in the proceedings.
Following the exchange between the two leaders, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan asked Rijiju to convey the sentiments expressed by the Opposition to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The discussion in the Rajya Sabha took place amid continued demands from Opposition parties for a statement by the Home Minister and a debate on the police action during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.
Earlier in the day, Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on the incident. He alleged that excessive force had been used against protesting students and said the Opposition was seeking an independent inquiry into the matter.
Opposition MPs also staged a protest in the Parliament premises over the July 20 police action. Several members carried placards with the slogan "Amit Shah jawab do" (Amit Shah, give an answer). The Opposition has continued to raise the issue since the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
(With inputs from ANI)
