Congress MP K C Venugopal took a significant step on Monday by writing to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him to compel Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement regarding recent allegations of police brutality against students. Venugopal’s request stems from the government’s responsibility to ensure accountability and transparency regarding law enforcement actions.
In his letter, Venugopal highlighted the urgent need for Shah to address the ongoing situation, specifically referencing the disproportionate use of force, including pellet guns, against students and youth during protests in Delhi. He stated, “I am writing to draw your attention to the deeply distressing reports of police brutality and the disproportionate use of force against protesting students. This is a matter of grave national concern that demands immediate parliamentary scrutiny.”
Noting that the Delhi Police operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Venugopal emphasized that the ultimate responsibility for these actions lies with the Home Minister. He mentioned that under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, Shah holds accountability for all matters under his ministry’s jurisdiction.
Venugopal further asserted that, according to Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, the Council of Ministers must remain collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. He pointed out that this foundational principle of parliamentary democracy mandates that the Executive be answerable to the Legislature for all actions taken under its command.
“Consequently, it is the clear constitutional duty of the Home Minister to appear before this House and answer for the actions of the police force, as they operate under his ministry’s jurisdiction,” he stated vehemently in his letter. Venugopal urged Birla to utilize his powers as the custodian of parliamentary rights to ensure accountability.
K C Venugopal addressed Birla directly, saying, “As the custodian of the rights and privileges of this House, you are vested with the inherent powers to ensure that the Executive remains accountable to Parliament.” He stressed that the Speaker must take action if Shah does not voluntarily present himself to discuss such a critical issue.
Moreover, Venugopal outlined the importance of this parliamentary accountability. He argued that if the Minister does not come forward willingly, it falls to Birla to invoke the necessary constitutional provisions to ensure Shah’s presence before Parliament.
“Therefore, on behalf of the opposition, I earnestly urge you to exercise your inherent powers under these provisions of the Constitution and direct the Minister of Home Affairs to immediately come to the House,” Venugopal concluded in his communication.
In a follow-up post on social media platform X, Venugopal reiterated his request for urgent action from the Lok Sabha Speaker, stating, “Wrote to the Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker urging him to demand Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on the police brutalities on students.”
He reminded that both the Delhi Police and the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), which played a prominent role during the violence, remain under Shah’s direction. Venugopal stated, “Our Constitution clearly states that the Council of Ministers, including the Home Minister, are collectively responsible to the people of the country. It is, therefore, his constitutional obligation to present a statement in Parliament on this matter.”
The opposition continues to press for Shah’s appearance in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, demanding clarity on the alleged police excesses witnessed during the protests on July 20 over a paper leak issue that sparked outrage among students.
As a result, both Houses of Parliament have faced considerable deadlock, with much of the legislative business permeated by discontent and outcries over the issue. The ongoing situation raises critical questions about the balance between law enforcement and civil rights, highlighting the necessity for transparent dialogue in the interest of democracy.
As this issue unfolds, public scrutiny grows around the actions of governmental authorities, and whether they will heed the call for accountability from leaders like Venugopal remains to be seen. The focus now shifts to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s response and the potential implications of this demand on parliamentary proceedings.
