The Lok Sabha will on Monday hold a special discussion on ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. A heated debate is expected between the ruling alliance and the Opposition as the House takes up this high-stakes issue.
According to the List of Business for July 28, the discussion will focus on “India’s strong, successful and decisive Operation Sindoor,” under which the Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Top leaders to participate
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to initiate the discussion, while Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and BJP MPs Anurag Thakur and Nishikant Dubey are also expected to participate, according to a report by ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to intervene during the debate, sources said, and may also join the discussion in the Rajya Sabha, which is scheduled to take up the issue on Tuesday.
Opposition plans counterattack
The INDIA bloc is preparing for a coordinated counterattack. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and MP Rajiv Rai are expected to speak during the debate, while TDP’s Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and GM Harish Balayogi have also been allotted 30 minutes in the Lok Sabha, according to an ANI report.
Opposition leaders have been demanding a clarification from the government, especially over US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack.
Debate timing and strategy
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that the Lok Sabha will hold a 16-hour discussion on July 28, followed by a 16-hour debate in the Rajya Sabha on July 29.
“All issues cannot be discussed together… The opposition has raised several demands. But the discussion on Operation Sindoor will come first. Other issues will be taken up later,” Rijiju said.
Monsoon session’s tense start
The Monsoon session has already seen major disruptions, particularly after the surprise resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. With the Operation Sindoor debate now on the agenda, floor leaders of the INDIA bloc will meet at 10 am on Monday to finalise their strategy for the week.
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