Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday launched a sharp criticism of the Opposition for walking away from the scheduled debate on Operation Sindoor and disrupting parliamentary proceedings.
He accused them of employing an ‘escape strategy’ and warned against using rhetoric that might demoralise India’s armed forces.
Speaking to reporters after both Houses of Parliament adjourned for the second time that day, Rijiju said the Opposition withdrew from its earlier commitment just minutes before the debate was to begin.
“Ten minutes ago, they made a U-turn and staged a drama of walking out. Parliament is set to resume shortly, and these sudden preconditions will not work,” he asserted.
Rijiju urged Opposition leaders to maintain national interest during the discussion on India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
“No Opposition party should echo the language of Pakistan or say anything that lowers the morale of our military,” he emphasised.
He confirmed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh would table the government’s proposal and open the 16-hour-long debate on Operation Sindoor.
Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will participate later in the session.
Last-Minute Demands Criticised
The minister expressed disappointment over the Opposition’s sudden demand for an immediate assurance on discussing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls after the Operation Sindoor debate.
“Parliament doesn’t function with last-minute conditions. The Business Advisory Committee decides these discussions. This behaviour shows they are running away from a debate they have been demanding for two months,” Rijiju remarked.
He further stated, “This is not just disruption; this is cheating the nation. You are avoiding a discussion the country is waiting to hear.”
The House assembled at 12:06 PM. Speaker Om Birla addressed the escalating ruckus. He reminded members that the Business Advisory Committee had unanimously agreed to the debate and Opposition leaders had verbally consented in his chamber.
Expressing disappointment, Birla said some members were now reneging on their commitment.
Despite his appeals, Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans, calling for an immediate discussion on both Operation Sindoor and the Bihar SIR issue.
Chants of ‘SIR par charcha karo’ echoed through the chamber as Birla urged members to follow parliamentary procedure. He stressed that members must conduct debates under the agreed framework and avoid letting slogans in the Well of the House dictate them.
Unable to restore order, the Speaker adjourned the Lok Sabha until 1 PM. The disruption occurred just before Parliament was likely to hold one of the most crucial Monsoon Session debates on national security and India’s military response to cross-border terrorism.
Rijiju concluded by questioning the Opposition’s intentions. “Why are they running away now? We have been ready from day one. The country deserves answers on Operation Sindoor,” he said.
Once the House reconvenes, both the government and the Opposition will resume the debate and present their arguments on one of the session’s defining issues.
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