NEW DELHI—India’s government on Tuesday offered to allow Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement in Parliament on student protests, in an effort to break an opposition-led deadlock that has disrupted proceedings during the monsoon session.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the House that the government was prepared to facilitate a discussion on the protests and have Shah address lawmakers, provided the House was allowed to function. The offer came as opposition lawmakers continued demonstrations over police action against students.
The development followed repeated demands from opposition parties for Shah to respond in Parliament to allegations surrounding the use of force against protesters. Congress lawmakers have sought clarification from the home minister over police action and have also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address their concerns.
The government’s offer did not immediately end the standoff. Opposition parties rejected the conditions attached to the proposed statement, saying their demands included accountability for the police response and other issues they want addressed during the session.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appealed to opposition members to end their protests and allow parliamentary business to continue. The government has argued that it is willing to discuss issues raised by the opposition if proceedings are permitted to resume normally.
The dispute has been part of wider disruption during the monsoon session, which began amid opposition demands for discussions on student-related controversies and other matters. Proceedings in both houses have repeatedly been adjourned following protests, limiting the passage and consideration of government business.
Shah’s proposed appearance would mark a direct response from the government’s senior minister responsible for internal security to the opposition’s demands. The government has not indicated that it accepts the opposition’s allegations regarding the police response.
As of Tuesday, the government had offered Shah’s statement and a discussion, while opposition parties had not agreed to the conditions for restoring normal proceedings. The parliamentary standoff remained unresolved.
