Protests in Parliament ahead of Op Sindoor discussion, PM may speak tomorrow

Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to present the government's position on key issues.

In Short

• Parliament to discuss Pahalgam attack and Op Sindoor from today
• Shashi Tharoor unlikely to speak during the discussion
• Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh expected to present government's position

After a week of disruptions, Parliament is all set to begin debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor on Monday during the Monsoon Session. The ruling BJP-led NDA and opposition parties are set to field their top leaders for the discussions in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to present the government's position on key issues. While there is no official confirmation yet, indications suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also step in.

It remains to be seen who will open the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor debate for the opposition if the chair invites anti-BJP parties to begin.

While Rahul Gandhi is seen as a possible starter, he has previously allowed others, like his deputy Gaurav Gogoi during the 2023 no-confidence motion, to initiate the debate.

A key point of interest is whether Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will be allowed to speak. Tharoor led a delegation to the United States and other countries.

According to Congress sources, Shashi Tharoor is unlikely to speak during the debate. “Shashi Tharoor unlikely to speak on Operation Sindoor. The MPs, who want to speak on certain issues, have to send their requests to the CPP office, however, Shashi Tharoor hasn't done so far,” Congress sources said.

However, if Shashi Tharoor skips the debate, it could raise questions, as the Thiruvananthapuram MP has had tensions with his party since leading a government-formed delegation abroad on the India-Pakistan conflict, against the Congress line.

Tharoor’s public support for the government’s stand and the pause in hostilities had led to repeated exchanges with party colleagues critical of the government.

The government and Opposition agreed to a 16-hour debate in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor on July 25. The discussion will focus on the government’s response to the April 22 attack, which killed 26 civilians.

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have criticised the government for alleged intelligence failures and questioned India’s international support, especially in light of US President Donald Trump’s claims of mediating between India and Pakistan, which the government has denied.

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