Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday accused the Opposition of “running away” from a discussion on the NEET student protests, saying the government was ready to provide answers in Parliament.
Expressing frustration over the continuing impasse, Rijiju described the situation as “unprecedented” in a parliamentary democracy, arguing that the government was seeking a debate while the Opposition was refusing to participate.
“I am totally frustrated. For the first time in my life, I am witnessing a scenario where the government wants a discussion in Parliament, yet the Opposition is running away from it,” Rijiju told reporters.
He said the government had repeatedly conveyed its willingness to hold an “open, extensive and detailed discussion” on the issue.
Rijiju said Home Minister Amit Shah had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him to consult Opposition leaders and facilitate a discussion.
In his letter, Shah said the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, had already been discussed during the Monsoon Session, but no Opposition member had raised the NEET examination issue during that debate.
“Nevertheless, the government is ready to discuss this issue again,” Shah said.
The Opposition has been demanding Shah’s statement in Parliament over alleged police excesses and the use of pellet guns during the July 20 student protest near Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak.
Rijiju said the government was willing to extend the session if Congress agreed to a discussion. He said that if Congress conveyed its willingness by 11 am on Thursday, the government would be ready to continue proceedings.
“Ask Congress why they got scared and why they fled. I never imagined the Congress would become so weak,” Rijiju said.
Earlier in the day, Opposition leaders staged a demonstration against the Centre and raised slogans of “Amit Shah Jawab Do”, demanding answers over the alleged use of excessive force against protesting students.
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