Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday appealed to the Opposition not to obstruct the debate on Operation Sindoor, a counter-terror military strike launched in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Calling for an uninterrupted discussion on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Rijiju said, “Opposition should not attempt to disturb the discussion on Operation Sindoor, and let it happen.” His statement came amidst repeated disruptions and walkouts that have stalled proceedings over the past few days.
The BJP-led government has accused the Congress and its allies of deliberately avoiding a debate on the operation, which it has portrayed as a success in India's fight against cross-border terrorism.
However, the Opposition has countered this narrative, with Congress MP Manickam Tagore alleging that the government itself was ducking accountability. Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Tagore said, “We want the House to function. We want a discussion. Why is the government running away from this? They don't want a discussion on the Pahalgam failure and surrender to Trump, so they are looking for some other reason to adjourn the House.”
Despite the initial din, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was eventually able to initiate the long-awaited debate, describing Operation Sindoor as “historic”.
“The Parliament is ready to discuss Operation Sindoor. First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude on behalf of the Parliament towards brave jawans who have sacrificed for the country whenever required,” said Singh, addressing the House.
He characterised the May 6–7 military operation as a decisive act against terror, asserting it reflected India’s unwavering stand on sovereignty and national security.
Also read: Parliament gears up for 16-hour debate on Operation Sindoor
“Operation Sindoor was not merely a military operation but a decisive and effective demonstration of our policy against terrorism. It also reflected commitment to India's sovereignty, its identity, and our responsibility towards the citizens of the country,” he said.
The Defence Minister went on to describe the precision and planning that went into the strikes. “Before carrying out Operation Sindoor, our armed forces conducted an in-depth study of every aspect. We had several options. But we chose the one that would inflict maximum damage on the terrorists and their hideouts, while causing no harm to Pakistani civilians.”
He claimed the mission targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites, linked to organisations including Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
“In this military operation, it is estimated that over a hundred terrorists, their trainers, handlers, and associates were killed,” Singh said. “The well-coordinated strikes carried out by our Armed Forces hit nine terrorist infrastructure targets with precision. The entire operation was concluded within 22 minutes.”
Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha witnessed multiple adjournments due to vociferous protests, with Opposition MPs entering the Well of the House, forcing the Chair to suspend proceedings till 2 pm.
While the ruling bench urged constructive debate on what it called a landmark operation, Opposition parties seemed more focused on pressing the government for answers on intelligence failures and foreign policy concerns.
The clash in narratives over Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack appears set to remain a flashpoint as Parliament continues its monsoon session.
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