Opposition wants Amit Shah in House; government says 'not your call'

NEW DELHI: Amid continuing opposition protests lampooning home minister Amit Shah for his "absence" from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju Friday said the opposition cannot decide which minister will come to the House and speak.With the Lok Sabha paralysed and a virtual washout of Parliament's monsoon session looming, Rijiju said Shah comes to Parliament building every day and stays till late at night. "Shah is a man whose name sends shivers down the spine of extremists and terrorists," he said, amid the thumping of desks by members of the treasury benches. "The day the discussion begins here, and when Amit Shah responds, you (opposition) won't be able to sit through it," he said.Protests by opposition MPs forced the chairs of both Houses to adjourn the proceedings till Monday. The opposition has put Shah at the centre of its protests against alleged police excesses against protesters organised under the banner of Cockroach Janta Party who defied prohibitory orders to march towards Parliament. The Lok Sabha could not function as opposition MPs held placards and raised slogans demanding that Shah come to the House and respond to the police action on student protesters. They also held placards designed as attendance sheets, with 'nil' against Shah. The House passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amid the din, without debate.The confrontation looks set to be extended to any discussion on the FCRA Bill in case the government seeks to push the legislation that has been opposed by opposition parties and church and Muslim bodies. Shah is likely to participate in the debate.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.