"Government Ready, Opposition Running Away": Kiren Rijiju and...

By GT24x7 Reporter · 12 August 2026 · GlobalToday24x7

The ongoing deadlock in Parliament over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak controversy escalated on August 12, 2026, as senior treasury bench leaders launched a coordinated offensive against the Opposition. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju disclosed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has formally written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, expressing the government's complete willingness to engage in an open-ended debate and respond to all queries concerning student protests and examination security.

Speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Rijiju stated that the executive has nothing to hide and is fully prepared to provide exhaustive answers. He expressed deep frustration over the persistent opposition disruptions that have paralyzed both Houses, accusing opposition parties of running away from substantive debate whenever the government agrees to their demands.

Home Minister's Offer to Speaker Om Birla

In his letter addressed to Speaker Om Birla, Home Minister Amit Shah pointed out that the Lok Sabha had already deliberated on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session. However, Shah noted that no opposition member chose to present their views on the NEET examination during that specific legislative debate. Despite this, the Home Minister reiterated that the government remains ready to discuss the student protests and subsequent administrative responses again.

Shah requested the Speaker to consult opposition leaders, reach a mutual consensus, and allocate as much time as necessary—starting immediately—to address every aspect of the controversy. He assured the House that he would remain present throughout the scheduled debate to directly answer all questions raised by lawmakers. "In a democracy, solutions emerge through discussion and dialogue," Shah wrote in his letter, emphasizing his faith in democratic institutions.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal Targets Opposition Strategy

Echoing Rijiju's remarks, Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, particularly targeting Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Goyal alleged that the Opposition has repeatedly shifted its political goalposts throughout the session. He noted that while the Opposition initially disrupted proceedings demanding a structured debate, they began creating fresh hurdles as soon as the government accepted the demand.

Goyal emphasized that the government has maintained continuous dialogue with opposition benches since the beginning of the Monsoon Session. He highlighted that statutory protections against unfair means in public examinations have already been strengthened through legislative amendments. Goyal asserted that Rahul Gandhi and opposition leadership bear direct responsibility for preventing backbench parliamentarians from raising important constituency issues during Question Hour.

Opposition Demands and Escalating Standoff

The Opposition, led by the INDIA bloc, has maintained a stiff posture, demanding a statement from the Home Minister regarding alleged police action against student demonstrators during protests in New Delhi. Responding to the government's offer, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi stated that students and citizens seek accountability rather than lectures, demanding a direct statement on police measures.

As the Monsoon Session approaches its concluding phase, the continuous disruptions have left key legislative business pending. Speaker Om Birla has repeatedly appealed to all political parties to restore decorum and utilize parliamentary mechanisms to resolve differences through structured floor debates.