Amit Shah Offers Debate on NEET Protests as Rahul Gandhi Rejects Offer

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Wednesday that the government is ready for a full discussion in Parliament regarding the NEET paper leak protests and the subsequent police action. Shah wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting a discussion in consultation with the Opposition and told reporters he would be ready to answer any question if the Opposition submitted a letter to the Speaker by 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on Wednesday. He proposed that the debate could run from 3 p.m. Wednesday until 3 p.m. Thursday.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, rejected the offer, stating that the youth are not interested in a lecture or the imagination of Amit Shah. Gandhi demanded specific answers regarding who ordered the alleged firing and police assault on protesters on July 20, including the use of lathis with nails and pellet guns. He argued that because the Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force are under the Home Ministry, Shah should resign for being either culpable or incompetent.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Opposition of running away from the debate. Shah also defended his presence in Parliament, rejecting labels such as missing or fugitive by stating that he has been attending regularly but remained in his chamber because Opposition disruptions prevented the House from functioning.

The Monsoon Session has seen significant disruptions over the past two weeks. Despite the deadlock, the Rajya Sabha passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to rename Kerala to Keralam, and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Lok Sabha adopted a motion to send the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee via voice vote before adjourning for the day.