The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on a turbulent note on Monday, with uproar in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha as the Opposition pressed for urgent discussions on the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and recent comments by US President Donald Trump.
Congress whip Manickam Tagore submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, while Congress Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala gave a suspension of business notice under Rule 267 in the Upper House to discuss the terror attack and counter-terror operation.
Ahead of the session’s start, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed media persons and indicated the government’s willingness to discuss Operation Sindoor and respond to mounting Opposition demands, which also include clarifications on President Trump’s claim of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
The government has agreed to hold a structured debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha next week under Rule 193. The debate will span three days and cover 16 hours in total. The decision was taken during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Monday.
In the Rajya Sabha, floor leaders met with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar seeking a discussion on Operation Sindoor.
As no consensus was reached, the BAC of the Upper House will reconvene on Tuesday. Meanwhile, BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya’s notice seeking a discussion on Operation Sindoor has been admitted, and Dhankhar stated that a schedule would be finalized after consultation with floor leaders.
While the Opposition is demanding the presence of the Prime Minister during the debate, sources say Modi will be available to respond after his upcoming visit to the Maldives and the UK. The Opposition has also called for the presence of the Home Minister and Defence Minister during the deliberations.
In the Lok Sabha BAC meeting, agreements were reached on other legislative priorities as well: 12 hours allotted for the Income Tax Bill, 2025; 8 hours for National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill and National Sports Governance Bill, 2025; 3 hours for the Indian Ports Bill, 2025; and Discussions will also be held on Demand for Grants for Manipur for 2025-26 and a bill to replace the Manipur GST (Amendment) Ordinance.
The ongoing voter roll verification exercise in Bihar (SIR) will also be taken up in the coming weeks.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda confirmed the government’s readiness for discussion. Speaker Om Birla and Chairman Dhankhar assured both Houses that the government would respond to all the issues raised.
However, the absence of key BJP leaders including JP Nadda from the second BAC meeting in the Rajya Sabha on Monday led to a delay in finalizing a schedule, and another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.
(With inputs from DH & HT)