Lok Sabha logjam: Amit Shah meets Speaker Birla for nearly an hour

The Lok Sabha remained in a state of gridlock for the fifth consecutive day on Friday as the Opposition continued to press for a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the police action against students during a march to Parliament on July 20. The stalemate has also been linked to allegations of theft of donations collected for the Ram temple.

In an effort to resolve the deadlock, Mr. Shah met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the latter's office at Parliament House. The meeting lasted for nearly an hour. While there was no official word on the discussions, the meeting is widely seen as an attempt to break the impasse that has paralysed the lower House and stalled legislative business.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on Mr. Shah at his Parliament House office. The two ministers are understood to have discussed parliamentary business and other matters, though no details were made public.

In the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the Opposition cannot dictate which Minister should respond to its demands. Speaking during the proceedings, he said Mr. Shah comes to Parliament every day and stays till late night, implying that the Home Minister is available for discussions. He urged the Opposition to allow the House to function.

The Opposition, led by several parties, has been demanding a detailed statement from Mr. Shah on the use of force by police on students during their march to Parliament on July 20. The students were protesting against alleged irregularities in the administration of the Ram temple trust and other issues. In addition, the Opposition has sought a response on the alleged theft of donations collected for the temple.

The Speaker, Mr. Birla, has urged both the government and the Opposition to find a way forward, but the logjam continues. The Rajya Sabha Chairman has also echoed the sentiments of the Opposition to the Home Minister, according to reports, in a bid to facilitate a resolution.

The deadlock has affected the passage of several bills, including those related to key legislative agenda items. Both the government and the Opposition have expressed willingness to hold talks, but no breakthrough has been reached so far. The House has been adjourned repeatedly amid the protests.

The July 20 incident, in which police used force to disperse students marching towards Parliament, has become a flashpoint between the government and the Opposition. The government has defended the police action as necessary to maintain order, while the Opposition has called for an independent inquiry. The alleged theft of Ram temple donations has added another layer of controversy, with Opposition leaders demanding a clear explanation from the government.

The ongoing standoff has raised concerns about parliamentary democracy and the ability of the legislature to function effectively. Political analysts note that such logjams, while not uncommon, can erode public trust in institutions if they persist. Both sides, however, have so far shown little flexibility, with the government insisting that the Opposition participate in debates while the Opposition maintains that its demands for a response from the Home Minister are legitimate.