Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday, 12 August said the Centre is prepared to extend Parliament's sitting hours — even on the final day of the Monsoon Session on Thursday — if the Indian National Congress and other Opposition parties agree to participate in a discussion on the alleged police excesses against student agitators during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march. The statement came hours after Home Minister Amit Shah declared he was 'ready to answer everything' in the House.

What Rijiju Said

Addressing reporters amid the ongoing Parliament deadlock, Rijiju drew an unusual contrast: 'For the first time in my life, I am witnessing such a situation where the government wants discussion in Parliament, but the Opposition is running away. It is difficult to imagine because in a parliamentary democracy, it is the Opposition parties who demand a discussion and the government responds.'

He called the situation 'not right for a democracy' and stated that in his 30-year parliamentary career he had never seen an Opposition that 'runs away from discussion.'

The Government's Position

Rijiju underscored that the government has repeatedly signalled its readiness for the debate. He pointed to a letter written by Home Minister Shah to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, describing it as an extraordinary step — a government appealing to the Speaker to persuade the Opposition to participate in a discussion it had itself demanded.

'Have you ever heard that the government is appealing to the Speaker of the House to consult with and request the Opposition to come together and agree to a discussion?' he asked reporters.

On the question of extending time, Rijiju was unambiguous: 'We are saying that if the Congress says even at 11 a.m. tomorrow that it is ready for a discussion, we will extend the time.'

Targeting the Congress

The Union Minister trained sharp criticism on the Congress, accusing the party of reducing its parliamentary role to 'protests and slogans.' 'I can't imagine that this is the same Congress which ruled the country for more than 50 years. Nobody can think that the Congress would be reduced to such a state that it is not even ready to face Parliament,' he remarked.

He also expressed concern for first-time Members of Parliament, noting that since their election they had 'not seen any quality debate' — a consequence, he argued, of the Opposition's continued disruptions throughout the Monsoon Session.

Background: The Sansad Chalo Standoff

The Parliament deadlock stems from the Opposition's demand for a discussion on alleged police action against student protesters during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march, when demonstrators attempted to reach Parliament. The Opposition has disrupted proceedings repeatedly, while the government insists it has been willing to hold the very debate the Opposition claims to want. The Monsoon Session was scheduled to conclude on Thursday, 13 August.

What Happens Next

With the session's final day approaching, the window for a floor debate is narrow. Whether the Congress and allied parties accept the government's offer before the session closes will determine if Parliament addresses the Sansad Chalo controversy on record — or if the standoff carries into the next session.