New Delhi (National Times): The Lok Sabha is set to witness a heated 16-hour-long debate on Monday, July 28, over Operation Sindoor, India’s military counterstrike following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The discussion marks a crucial moment in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, with both the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc expected to lock horns on key aspects of the operation and its geopolitical implications.
According to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, the Business Advisory Committee had unanimously decided to prioritise a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, following persistent demands from the Opposition, especially the Congress, for clarity and debate on the government’s handling of the terror fallout.
Key Highlights of the Operation Sindoor Debate:
- The Lok Sabha will conduct the debate on Monday, with the Rajya Sabha scheduled to hold a parallel 16-hour discussion on Tuesday.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to open the discussion in the Lower House, setting the tone for what is being called one of the most important debates of the session.
- Prominent Cabinet members, including Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and BJP MPs like Anurag Thakur and Nishikant Dubey, are also slated to speak.
- From the Opposition camp, the line-up includes Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi and Manish Tewari, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, and NCP’s Supriya Sule, among others.
- The TDP, which has been allotted 30 minutes of floor time, is likely to be represented by Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and GM Harish Balayogi, according to sources.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though not officially confirmed, is rumoured to be considering addressing the House during the debate to assert the government’s position and possibly challenge the Opposition’s criticism head-on.
- Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc will convene at 10:00 AM on Monday to outline their strategy for the week, including the Operation Sindoor discussion.
- A major point of contention expected during the debate is U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments claiming he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a claim that has repeatedly drawn skepticism and criticism from Indian lawmakers across the aisle.
Rijiju appealed to the Opposition not to disrupt proceedings, reminding members that non-functional sessions amount to a disservice to the country. He expressed hope that the second week of the Monsoon Session would proceed without the repeated adjournments that marred the first.
Additionally, several NDA MPs who were part of multinational delegations following Operation Sindoor are also expected to contribute to the debate, bringing perspectives from diplomatic outreach and international briefings.
With national security, foreign policy, and political credibility all on the table, today’s session is expected to be a fiery and defining moment for both the government and the Opposition during this parliamentary term.
