Karnal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, November 5, accepted Rahul Gandhi’s debate challenge but urged the Leader of the Opposition to take up substantive issues for discussion in Parliament.

Addressing a rally during the BJP’s ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ foot march in Karnal, Shah challenged Gandhi to take up the debate in Parliament, saying that if his concerns had truth, substance and logic, he should be ready to discuss them there. He added that Gandhi would not be able to handle the answers and would ‘run away’ as he had allegedly done in the past.

#WATCH | Karnal, Haryana: At the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Today, from this platform, I want to issue a challenge to Rahul Gandhi. You challenge Narendra Modi ji to a debate—well, Rahul ji, there is no need for Modi ji himself;… pic.twitter.com/k90vtwEARL

— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2026

Calling the Opposition’s public rallies as “political gimmicks”, Shah declared that the Centre is ready to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss concerns, provided the Congress formally requests it through proper procedures.

‘Trying to pin blame on SIR’

“I want to challenge Rahul Gandhi directly. You challenge PM Narendra Modi to a discussion? If you want a discussion, just write a letter to the Prime Minister. We are ready to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the SIR exercise,” he said.

The minister also announced that the BJP is ready to counter the Opposition everywhere, from legislative halls to the grassroots.

#WATCH | Karnal, Haryana: At the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Following the 2024 general elections, the people of this country have consistently defeated Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party in elections held across the nation.… pic.twitter.com/PlaToAbWLp

— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2026

Since 2024, he said the BJP has defeated Congress everywhere, beginning in Haryana. “Rahul baba is worried, and so he wants to blame his defeat on SIR. Where was SIR in 2014, Rahul baba?” he asked.