Kathmandu— Congress MP KC Venugopal has called for the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament to address allegations regarding pellet gun firing and tear gas shelling during recent student protests. Speaking to reporters, Venugopal criticized Shah's absence from the Lok Sabha and demanded that he explain his actions. The demand comes amid ongoing protests by opposition MPs over alleged police excesses against students and other issues.

Opposition Demands Explanation

Venugopal accused the Home Minister of avoiding Parliament, stating, 'This placard is very clear. Our Home Minister is absent. He is missing from the Lok Sabha and from Parliament.' The Congress leader further alleged that Shah should explain who ordered the use of pellet guns and tear gas against students. 'The country needs these answers. The students need these answers,' Venugopal emphasized.

Speaker's Involvement

Venugopal also mentioned that the Congress had requested the Lok Sabha Speaker to issue directions to the Parliamentary Affairs Minister regarding Shah's absence. 'But we do not understand why he is not coming to Parliament when only four days are left,' Venugopal added. The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, reiterated his demand for a statement from Amit Shah on police action against protesters.

Protests and Adjournment

Amidst opposition demands and constant sloganeering, the Upper House of Parliament was adjourned until noon. Kharge claimed that the Chairperson had issued a direction to Amit Shah; however, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju refuted this claim. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticized Shah's absence, saying, 'He is afraid to come (to Parliament). He should answer and make a statement.'

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.