New Delhi [India], July 28 : Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said the Opposition would decide its future course of action on Tuesday over the anti-paper leak bill, while reiterating its demand that the Centre assure students that no injustice would be done to them and provide compensation to the families of those affected amid the ongoing row over the police action on student protesters.
Speaking to reporters, Yadav said the government must clearly state that students would not face any injustice in the future.
"A decision on the course of action will be taken tomorrow. We demand that the government clearly state that no injustice will be done to the students, their families will receive compensation, and they will not face any injustice in the future either," he said.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi rejected Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's criticism of the Opposition, asserting that Parliament was meant for debate and not for the Opposition to function on the government's terms. He said the Opposition was willing to participate in the discussion but insisted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah should first come to the House and respond to the issue.
"Kiren Rijiju needs to understand that the Opposition is not a puppet that dances to your tune. We should participate in the discussion, but why should we do so on your terms? What is Parliament for? The Opposition does not come here simply to agree to whatever you say... We will certainly participate in the discussion, but we have one condition: the Union Home Minister must first come to the floor of the House and provide a response," said the Congress MP.
Echoing similar demand, CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar said Amit Shah should make a statement in Parliament on the alleged police lathi-charge on students. He also expressed concern over reports of similar incidents in several states, particularly Bihar, and alleged a coordinated attempt to suppress the student protest across the country. He said the issue would be raised again in Parliament on Tuesday.
"We demand that Union Home Minister Amit Shah come to the House and make a statement regarding the police lathi-charge on students...What is even more shocking is that this did not happen only in Delhi; similar incidents have been reported from many parts of the country...The reports coming from Bihar are particularly disturbing. It has been reported that an AK-47 was used by a police officer. There appears to be a coordinated attempt to suppress the students' movement across the country. It seems that directions may have been issued, particularly in NDA-ruled states...This is a very disturbing situation. The CJP has already registered its protest, stating that there has been a breach of the assurances that were given. We will raise this issue again tomorrow," he said.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Satuday. The Centre on Monday tabled the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha to curb paper leaks in the country.