The Monsoon Session of Parliament witnessed intense discussions as both Houses debated the Centre’s military response, Operation Sindoor, launched after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opened the session in Lok Sabha, stating that India struck nine terror targets in a 22-minute precision strike, with zero civilian casualties.
He emphasized the mission’s success and warned that the operation is only paused, not ended. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the defence, foreign, and home ministers’ firm stances. He dismissed claims of foreign intervention, asserting that no country, including the U.S., influenced India’s decisions. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar added that no trade deals were discussed in U.S. diplomatic exchanges and reaffirmed India’s autonomous foreign policy approach. Home Minister Amit Shah underlined the surgical precision of the operation, highlighting its deterrent effect on terror activities.
However, the Opposition launched a scathing critique. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of using the military action for political mileage and of limiting army autonomy. He also questioned the silence on Chinese transgressions. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded transparency regarding the Pahalgam attack and questioned the alleged U.S. pressure narrative. Priyanka Gandhi raised concerns over intelligence lapses and flood-related relief, while Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan objected to naming the operation “Sindoor”, citing the grief of widows.
Parliament proceedings were marred by frequent adjournments, sloganeering, and walkouts. Disruptions continued as members raised additional issues, including voter list irregularities and flood-related damage. Amidst the political friction, Speaker Om Birla appointed MP N. K. Premachandran to preside over key discussions.
While the government projected Operation Sindoor as a symbol of India’s assertive security posture, the Opposition demanded accountability and clarity on internal security measures. The debate revealed deep political divides over national defence strategy and governance transparency.
