New Delhi, 20 July — Amid mounting pressure from the Opposition, the Union government on Sunday indicated its willingness to hold a parliamentary discussion on Operation Sindoor and other contentious issues, even as it signalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to respond personally in Parliament.
At the customary all-party meeting convened on the eve of the Monsoon Session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “We are very open to a discussion on important issues like Operation Sindoor. These are issues of great national importance. The government is not shying away and will never shy away, but is open to discussions within rules and conventions.”
The Opposition INDIA bloc, however, insisted on a direct response from the Prime Minister on Operation Sindoor, US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire claims on the India-Pakistan conflict, the terror attack in Pahalgam, and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, speaking after the meeting, said, “It is the Prime Minister’s moral responsibility to address the country through Parliament on these key issues. There are serious lapses that need answers.” He demanded Modi’s response not only on Operation Sindoor but also on Trump’s claim of brokering a ceasefire, the continuing violence in Manipur, and alleged irregularities in Bihar’s SIR process.
Rijiju countered this by saying the Prime Minister is present in Parliament when in the country, but cabinet ministers will respond on issues concerning their portfolios. “There is a process. There are rules. The PM is part of Parliament, but not expected to be in the House all the time. Ministers will respond,” he said.
As many as 54 leaders across party lines participated in the meeting chaired by Union Minister JP Nadda. Sources indicated even BJP allies favoured a debate on Operation Sindoor to showcase the Centre’s strategic accomplishments during the military operation, for which Indian delegations had travelled to various countries.
The meeting saw a flurry of demands from opposition parties. AAP’s Sanjay Singh raised the issue of the “poll scam” related to SIR in Bihar and also questioned the government on Trump’s ceasefire remarks. “The INDIA bloc came together to demand accountability. That doesn’t mean we contest elections together in every state. AAP has always contested Assembly elections independently,” Singh clarified, distancing from the bloc’s recent virtual meeting.
Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav took a sharper tone, citing the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir’s admission of intelligence failure in the Pahalgam attack. “This is a serious issue. Trump’s claims are equally serious. India has never accepted third-party mediation on Pakistan. These matters need to be clarified,” he said.
He also criticised the government’s foreign policy, claiming, “We had Muslim nations supporting us during 1965, 1971 and Kargil. But today, not a single Muslim country stands with us. Our foreign policy has completely failed.”
Gogoi echoed this concern, stating, “If questions about the SIR process and the Election Commission go unanswered, it will cast a shadow on the fairness of our polls.” He reiterated calls for more transparency on defence budgeting and external threats, mentioning that some armed forces officers had raised concerns over a “two-front threat” from China and Pakistan.
National Conference MP Altaaf Hussain asked the government to ensure that innocent locals in Kashmir are not harassed in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. “The ground situation in Kashmir is different from what is being portrayed nationally,” he said.
CPI(M)’s John Brittas also said Modi should clarify Trump’s mediation claims in Parliament.
DMK, NCP-Sharad Pawar, BJD, SAD, and JD(U) also raised regional and national concerns. Supriya Sule said, “Everyone will feel reassured if the PM responds to the Parliament.” JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha claimed there were no local objections to the SIR in Bihar but said if issues are found, his party would meet the EC.
BJD MP Sasmit Patra accused the BJP-led government in Odisha of presiding over a “complete collapse” of law and order, citing recent cases of self-immolation and violence. “The Centre cannot escape responsibility. There must be a discussion,” he said.
Rijiju assured that the government has noted the demand to allot more time to smaller parties in parliamentary debates. He confirmed that the Centre is bringing 17 new Bills during the session, details of which would be shared shortly.
“We want coordination, not confrontation. It’s the duty of all parties to ensure that Parliament functions smoothly,” Rijiju said.
The Monsoon Session begins Monday.
