New Delhi, August 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the Centre was willing to extend the Monsoon Session of Parliament if the Congress and other Opposition parties agreed to hold a discussion on alleged police excesses against student protesters during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march.
Rijiju’s remarks came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he was “ready to answer everything” on the issue. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the government would even consider extending the session beyond its scheduled conclusion on Thursday if the Opposition agreed to participate in the discussion.
“If the Congress says even at 11 a.m. tomorrow that it is ready for a discussion, we will extend the time,” Rijiju told reporters.
He criticised the Opposition over the continuing deadlock in Parliament, saying it was unusual for the government to seek a debate while Opposition parties were allegedly unwilling to participate.
“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,” he said, describing the situation as contrary to the functioning of a parliamentary democracy.
Rijiju referred to Shah’s letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, saying the Home Minister had been “compelled” to approach the Speaker and request that the Opposition agree to a discussion.
“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.
The minister accused the Congress and some other Opposition parties of repeatedly disrupting the Monsoon Session through protests and slogans. He questioned why the Congress was allegedly unwilling to face a discussion in Parliament.
Rijiju also said Opposition parties were failing in their basic parliamentary responsibility of questioning the government and seeking answers. He expressed concern that first-time MPs had not been able to witness substantive debates during the session.
He reiterated that the government remained ready for the discussion and said the Opposition’s alleged reluctance to debate was “unthinkable and incomprehensible” in a parliamentary democracy.
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