The floor leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc convened on Monday to chalk out their strategy for the second week of the Monsoon Session and to prioritise the issues they plan to raise in Parliament.
The meeting took place ahead of the Lok Sabha’s scheduled 16-hour discussion on Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has urged the opposition, particularly the Congress, to maintain decorum during the discussion and refrain from making statements that could echo adversarial narratives.
“I request the opposition, especially the Congress, not to say anything that harms India’s interests or sounds like the language of Pakistan. We must uphold the dignity of the Indian armed forces.
He further warned that remarks made in Parliament against national interest could be used by hostile nations.
“Whatever the opposition says against India is amplified by Pakistan and other enemies abroad,” Rijiju added. “It was the will of the Indian people that led the Prime Minister to authorise Operation Sindoor through the Indian Army. Today, the Lok Sabha will discuss this strong and decisive action.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to address the Lok Sabha around noon, as part of the special discussion listed in the Business of the House for Monday under the title:
“Special Discussion on India’s strong, successful and decisive ‘Operation Sindoor’ in response to terrorist attack in Pahalgam.”
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 civilian lives, prompting India to launch precision strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
A heated debate is expected to unfold, with leaders from the ruling alliance and the opposition set to present their perspectives on the government’s response and overall national security strategy.
Since the Monsoon Session began on July 21, Parliament has witnessed repeated adjournments amid protests and demands from the opposition to discuss a range of public interest issues, including the Pahalgam terror attack and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by the Election Commission in Bihar ahead of the upcoming state elections.
The opposition has also pressed for a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over claims made by US President Donald Trump, who recently said he helped mediate a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor.
The first week of the session was also marked by political drama, including the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, adding to the already tense atmosphere in Parliament. (Media reports)
