As the Monsoon Session of Parliament began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone by hailing Operation Sindoor as a moment of national pride and unity, calling on all parties to rise above political lines to honour the armed forces’ success. He praised the Indian military for achieving 100% operational objectives, especially the swift and precise targeting of terrorist infrastructure within 22 minutes. Modi also highlighted India’s use of indigenously developed weaponry, projecting it as a milestone for self-reliance in defense.
Despite Modi’s call for unity, the session quickly descended into political turmoil, with the opposition disrupting proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, demanding immediate discussions on:
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The Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians,
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Operation Sindoor’s full details, including its legality and strategic consequences,
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US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Key Highlights of the Day:
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Adjournment Motions and Protests:The Congress submitted an adjournment motion to debate the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, while sloganeering forced temporary adjournments in both Houses.
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Kharge’s Sharp Attack:Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, questioned the government's inability to capture the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack and asked why Trump's claim of mediating the ceasefire hasn’t been categorically addressed. He also cited a local government (L-G) statement pointing to an intelligence failure.
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Government’s Response:Union Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated that the government is open to discussing any issue, including Operation Sindoor, but avoided a direct reply to the Trump controversy.The government has scheduled:
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16 hours of Lok Sabha time and
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9 hours of Rajya Sabha timefor debate on Operation Sindoor.
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PM’s Broader Vision:Modi also touched on other major themes:
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Declared the goal of a “naxalism-free India by 2026”, stating that “red corridors” are turning into “green growth zones.”
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Hailed India’s economic trajectory, noting that inflation has fallen to around 2%, a stark contrast from the pre-2014 era.
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Mentioned India’s progress in space technology, including its aim to set foot on a space station.
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Air India Crash & Aviation Safety:Opposition members also raised the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people, demanding a thorough investigation and accountability on aviation safety.
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Judicial Impeachment:In an unusual show of cross-party consensus, MPs rallied around the move to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma, following the discovery of a massive cash stash at his residence. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that over 100 MPs have signed the motion.
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Parliamentary Conduct Appeals:Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar urged lawmakers to avoid acrimony, urging:“We can disagree, but must not be bitter.”
The Bigger Picture
This session is poised to be dominated by Operation Sindoor’s implications—both militarily and politically. While the government wants to use the operation as a nationalist rallying point, the opposition is pushing hard to:
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Demand accountability for the intelligence failure in Kashmir,
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Challenge the transparency and legality of India’s cross-border response,
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And clarify the true nature of Trump’s involvement, which remains diplomatically sensitive.
Despite differences, there is public expectation for constructive debates, especially on critical issues like national security, judicial integrity, aviation safety, and economic policy.
As the week progresses, the government's handling of Operation Sindoor, its response to Trump’s remarks, and the Air India tragedy may determine whether this Parliament session becomes a symbol of unity—or another battleground of unresolved tensions.
