A heated exchange erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday between Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, as the Opposition intensified its demand for Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement in Parliament over the alleged police action against student protesters.

The confrontation took place during the Monsoon Session amid repeated disruptions and sloganeering by Opposition members, leading to multiple adjournments in both Houses.

Kharge Defends Right to Speak

Responding to Rijiju's remarks, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that it was his parliamentary right to decide what to speak and when to speak.

Kharge accused the government of attempting to dictate proceedings in the House and questioned why Amit Shah had not appeared in Parliament to respond to the Opposition's concerns.

He also referred to former Union Minister Arun Jaitley's earlier observations that disruptions were part of parliamentary democracy, arguing that the Opposition was raising legitimate issues concerning students.

Rijiju Urges Opportunity for New MPs

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju countered that Kharge was repeatedly speaking on the same subject while preventing newly elected Opposition MPs from participating in debates.

Citing Congress leader Pawan Khera, Rijiju said the first-time Rajya Sabha member had not yet been given an opportunity to deliver his maiden speech because senior leaders continued occupying the discussion time.

Rijiju further maintained that the Leader of the Opposition could request the Chair but could not dictate which minister should appear before the House.

Opposition Continues Protest

Opposition MPs continued raising slogans demanding that Home Minister Amit Shah address Parliament over the alleged July 20 police action against student protesters.

Members repeatedly chanted slogans calling upon Shah to come to the House, while several Opposition parties also sought discussions on the alleged Ram Mandir donation theft issue.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed repeated interruptions before being adjourned for an hour.

Amit Shah Arrives in Parliament

Amid the ongoing political confrontation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Parliament during the day.

Government sources indicated that Shah was expected to participate in the Lok Sabha discussion on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, although the Opposition continued demanding a separate statement specifically on the student protest issue.

Lok Sabha Passes Bill Without Debate

The Lok Sabha later passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill without debate before proceedings were adjourned until 11 am on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the House also observed a tribute to the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, with a visiting Japanese parliamentary delegation joining the proceedings.

Parliament Remains Deadlocked

The latest confrontation reflects the continuing deadlock during the Monsoon Session, with the Opposition insisting on discussions over alleged police action against students and other issues before allowing normal legislative business to proceed.

The government, meanwhile, has maintained that Parliament should continue functioning and legislative work should not be disrupted.