New Delhi, August 12: Amid ongoing disruptions in Parliament over the NEET paper leak and student protests, the central government has targeted the opposition. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on Wednesday that the government is ready for open discussions on all issues, but the opposition seems intent on creating chaos without listening.
Rijiju expressed his disappointment, saying, “I am very disheartened. For the first time in my life, I am witnessing a situation where the government wants to discuss matters in the House, yet the opposition is running away. It is hard to imagine this because, in a democracy, it is the opposition that demands discussions, and the government responds. Here, the government is itself asking for discussions, but the opposition does not want to hear the answers and is fleeing. Can you imagine such circumstances?”
He emphasized that this situation is not healthy for democracy. The opposition has responsibilities. Following the NEET paper leak, students protested, and the opposition demanded discussions and responses from the Union Home Minister. “We have repeatedly stated that we want to discuss, but they (the opposition) are not agreeing. Consequently, the Home Minister had to write a letter,” Rijiju added.
He mentioned that the Home Minister wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker, stating that they are open and ready for detailed discussions. “Convince the opposition party leader. Have you ever heard of this? The government is pleading with the Speaker to persuade the opposition party leader. I am very eager for discussions. This is not good for the country. We have told the opposition today that we are fully prepared for discussions; persuade the leader of the opposition and let’s talk.”
Rijiju expressed his sadness as both the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and as a Member of Parliament. It is natural to feel disheartened because if the proceedings of Parliament do not continue, it will affect everyone. During the monsoon session, Congress and some opposition parties have been causing disruptions, and the public wants to know why they are avoiding discussions.
He reiterated that despite their appeals for discussions, the opposition remains unyielding. With the session nearing its end, the Home Minister had to write to the Lok Sabha Speaker, requesting that the opposition members be persuaded to engage in discussions. “With 30 years of experience, I can say that I have never seen such an opposition, nor could I have imagined a scenario where the government wants discussions and the opposition is evading them,” Rijiju concluded.
He questioned how Parliament can function if the government cannot present its case and the opposition refuses to listen.
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