Congress Member of Parliament KC Venugopal has raised concerns regarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s absence from Parliament, particularly in light of recent student protests. On August 7, Venugopal expressed his dissatisfaction to reporters, asserting that Shah should address allegations related to the use of pellet guns and tear gas against students during these demonstrations.

During his statements, Venugopal held up a placard emphasising that the Home Minister had been conspicuously missing from the Lok Sabha. He queried, “Why is he running away from Parliament?” He insisted that the Home Minister’s presence is essential to provide clarity on who authorised the use of such force against the protesting students.

Venugopal further remarked that both the country and the affected students deserve answers, stressing that the perceived absence of leadership on this issue is unacceptable. “The Home Minister is completely absent,” he added, highlighting the need for accountability.

Congress’s Actions and Requests in Parliament

In addition to his comments, Venugopal noted that the Congress party had formally requested the Lok Sabha Speaker to instruct the Parliamentary Affairs Minister regarding this matter. He expressed confusion about the Home Minister’s reluctance to attend Parliament, especially considering that only four days remained before a scheduled break.

His demands coincided with the continuous protests by Opposition members, including calls for the Home Minister to make a statement on the police actions that occurred during a protest on July 20. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, reiterated these calls earlier in the day, further emphasising the urgency for Shah to address the situation.

Kharge contended that CP Radhakrishnan, the Chairperson, had issued a directive for Amit Shah to respond, although this assertion has been disputed by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The situation indicates a growing tension within the Parliament as members demand accountability from the government.

Protests Escalate Amidst Parliamentary Sessions

Amid the calls for Shah’s statement, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra added her voice to the growing protest, stating that the Home Minister should come forward to discuss the alleged police actions against protesters. With the Lok Sabha adjourned until noon due to opposition demonstrations, Gandhi questioned why Shah is not fulfilling his responsibilities in Parliament.

She remarked that it seemed as if the Home Minister was hesitant to appear before Parliament, suggesting that if any wrongdoing had occurred, he should take responsibility and address the concerns raised by members. The protests reflect a wider concern regarding governance and police conduct in recent events.

On the ground, various Opposition MPs staged demonstrations in the Parliament House complex, protesting against alleged misappropriations related to the Ram Temple donations in Ayodhya and demanding accountability for police actions against students. Though faced with inclement weather, demonstrators, equipped with umbrellas and placards, voiced slogans calling for Shah to provide answers.

This series of events underscores heightened tensions within Parliament and highlights the pressing demand from the Opposition for clarity and accountability regarding recent police interactions with student protesters. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these escalating demands.

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