Congress Demands PM Modi’s Presence for “Operation Sindoor” Debate in Parliament

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The Indian National Congress, a prominent opposition party, has intensified its demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence in Parliament during the upcoming debate on “Operation Sindoor.” The Monsoon Session commenced on Monday, July 21, 2025, with the opposition pushing for an immediate and thorough discussion on the recent military operation and related national security concerns.

“Operation Sindoor,” launched on May 7, 2025, involved precision missile and air strikes by India targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. The operation, described by Indian authorities as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” reportedly neutralized several terror facilities.

However, the operation has since been subject to various questions and concerns from the opposition. These include allegations of the government concealing potential Indian Air Force aircraft losses, and the unusual circumstance of US President Donald Trump repeatedly claiming to have mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during the operation. The Congress views these aspects as critical issues demanding clarity and accountability from the nation’s highest leadership.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a social media post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) ahead of the session, criticized Prime Minister Modi’s infrequent presence in Parliament. “Prime Minister Modi is very, very, very rarely present in Parliament. He speaks once a year on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. But this time, he owes it to the country to be present when the issue of Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor, and President Trump is finally taken up for discussion,” Ramesh stated.

During the first day of the Monsoon Session, opposition members, led by the Congress, disrupted proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, demanding an immediate discussion. Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, submitted an adjournment notice seeking to set aside other business for this debate, particularly highlighting the “humiliating” nature of President Trump’s mediation claims.

While Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the Lok Sabha that the government is prepared for a comprehensive discussion on Operation Sindoor, and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar committed to a full-fledged debate, the opposition remains firm on the Prime Minister’s direct participation. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also voiced concern that the issue was not immediately included in the Business Advisory Committee’s agenda, accusing the government of being secretive.

The government, while agreeing to allocate 16 hours for the debate in Lok Sabha and 9 hours in Rajya Sabha, has indicated that the Prime Minister’s foreign travel later this week might delay his presence until next week. Nevertheless, the opposition’s insistence on Prime Minister Modi’s direct address underscores the gravity with which they view the operational and diplomatic implications of “Operation Sindoor” and related events, setting the stage for potentially heated exchanges in the ongoing parliamentary session.