Challenging Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for a debate on the JNU row in the Parliament, Union Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday asked the former to respond to the government's queries and put forth his views before the nation.
"We would like Rahul Gandhi to participate in the debate, respond to our queries. Rahul Gandhi.please reply what is your and your party's stand on the sloganeering in JNU," he told the media here.
Prasad further stated that the nation wants a reply from him, adding that it would happen only when he participates in the parliamentary debate.
"Mr. Rahul Gandhi, we would like to know from you that a great, courageous brave army officer captain Pawan, who also hailed from JNU died fighting for the country. You associate with the legacy of Pawan in the JNU or you dissuade yourself with the legacy of those who are raising a slogan- 'Bharat ki barbaadi tak jung chalegi'? That's the issue. Mr. Gandhi.come let's have a debate," he added.
Earlier, the Congress vice-president said that the Centre won't let him speak in the Parliament because they are scared of his remarks.
"The government said they are open to a discussion. Yes. But they will not let me speak in the Parliament. I will speak (in Parliament) but they will not let me speak because they are scared of what I will say," Gandhi told the media here.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha witnessed adjournments on the first working day today with the opposition parties lashing out at the government for the situation arising out of the incidents in JNU and Hyderabad University.