Congress calls Amit Shah 'coward' for skipping Lok Sabha; Rijiju hits back

The political temperature in Parliament shot up on Tuesday as the Congress launched a blistering attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling him a 'coward' for his absence from the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Monsoon Session. The charge drew an immediate counter from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who challenged Rahul Gandhi to face Shah directly in the House.

Congress's 'coward' barb

Congress leaders accused Amit Shah of dodging a scheduled appearance in the Lok Sabha, where the opposition has been pressing for a statement on the recent Gen Z stir and other issues. 'He is running away from answering the people's questions,' a senior Congress leader said, using the word 'coward' to describe the Home Minister's no-show.

The attack came amid a deepening logjam in Parliament, with the opposition demanding a structured discussion on several contentious matters. The Congress has maintained that its position has not shifted, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge asserting that the opposition's demand has been consistent from the beginning.

Rijiju's counter-challenge

Kiren Rijiju hit back sharply, challenging Rahul Gandhi to face Amit Shah in Parliament instead of avoiding a debate. 'Don't run away. If you have the courage, come and face Amit Shah in the House,' Rijiju said, turning the tables on the opposition.

The minister's remarks underlined the government's stance that it is ready for a debate, but on its own terms. The government has set conditions for Amit Shah's reply on the Gen Z stir, a move that has further split the opposition ranks, particularly over the FCRA bill.

Opposition's unified front? Not quite

While the Congress and other opposition parties have vowed to protest over Amit Shah's statement and the Ram Temple donations row, the FCRA bill has exposed divisions within their ranks. Some parties are reluctant to oppose the bill outright, complicating efforts to present a united front.

Sources indicate that the opposition will stage a protest on Wednesday over the Home Minister's absence and the broader demand for transparency. The government, meanwhile, appears in no mood to relent, insisting that parliamentary procedure must be followed.

What's at stake

The Monsoon Session has been largely unproductive so far, with both sides trading accusations. The Congress's 'coward' remark and Rijiju's counter-challenge signal that the standoff is unlikely to end soon. The opposition wants a direct confrontation on the floor, while the government accuses it of avoiding substantive legislative work.

With the session entering a crucial phase, all eyes are on whether Rahul Gandhi will accept Rijiju's challenge and whether the government will allow Amit Shah to speak in the Lok Sabha. The coming days will determine if Parliament can break the deadlock or remain mired in acrimony.

As the logjam continues, the political calculus for both sides is clear: neither wants to blink first. But with legislative business piling up, the pressure to find a way out is mounting.