Andalib Akhter/ New Delhi
The issue of the alleged paper leak and the ensuing student protests eclipsed Parliament’s Monsoon Session, resulting in a near-complete washout of regular business amid a prolonged confrontation between the government and the Opposition. Despite repeated disruptions, the government managed to pass 12 Bills amid the din.
The government’s late proposal to allow a debate on the student protests failed to pacify the Opposition, which remained firm on its demand for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Congress and other Opposition parties have maintained that Shah must explain the alleged police action against students during the protests and answer questions on the government’s handling of the issue.
The standoff intensified even after Shah offered to participate in a detailed debate and said he was prepared to remain in Parliament for 24 hours to hear the Opposition and respond point-by-point. The Opposition, however, rejected the offer, insisting that the government first address its specific demands.
Repeated adjournments in both Houses meant that important legislative and public-interest issues received little substantive discussion. The confrontation also spilled outside Parliament, with NDA and INDIA bloc MPs facing off over the student protests and other contentious issues.
The session thus ended against the backdrop of a deepening political deadlock, with the Opposition accusing the government of avoiding accountability and the treasury benches blaming the Opposition for repeatedly disrupting parliamentary proceedings. Speaker Om Birla also expressed concern over the continuing disruptions and appealed to both sides to find common ground to allow the Houses to function.