# Shah offers 24-hour debate on NEET protests, Rahul retorts 2026-08-12T23:45:40+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets Union home minister Amit Shah has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla requesting a comprehensive debate on the NEET paper-leak and student protests. He said he was ready to sit through the entire discussion and answer all opposition questions. Shah proposed the debate start at 3 pm on Wednesday (August 12) and conclude at 3 pm on Thursday, provided the opposition gives written consent by 2 pm. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi rejected the offer, saying the opposition is not interested in Shah's 'lecture' and wants to know who gave the orders to beat and shoot students during the July 20 protest. 'If he gave that order, he should resign. If he did not, he should resign for incompetence,' Gandhi said. Shah earlier dismissed allegations that he was 'missing' from Parliament, saying he had been coming daily but the opposition was not allowing the House to function. ## Coverage - rediff.com - thefederal.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: Amit Shah, Lok Sabha, NEET paper leak, Parliament debate, Rahul Gandhi, student protests Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/amit-shah-seeks-lok-sabha-debate-on-neet-paper-leak-rahul-counters/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/amit-shah-seeks-lok-sabha-debate-on-neet-paper-leak-rahul-counters/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.