Synopsis : Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attacks ignited fierce debate in Rajya Sabha, with questions over national security, ceasefire claims, and India-Pakistan relations dominating the House.
Qalam Times News Network
Operation Sindoor dominated the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as members continued their heated debate over the government’s handling of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the military response that followed. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar kicked off proceedings with a forceful statement rejecting past policies of engagement with Pakistan, saying, “You self-hyphenated India and Pakistan. How will the world take you seriously?”
The Minister directly accused previous governments of enabling terrorist attacks by prioritising diplomacy over deterrence. He made it clear that under the Modi administration, there was no resumption of talks with Pakistan after major attacks. “Within three months of condemning terrorism, you were ready for dialogue. That diluted India’s global stance,” he argued, underscoring the aggressive strategic posture of Operation Sindoor.
The House saw sharp interventions from the Opposition. CPI’s Sandosh Kumar P. accused the government of silence on former U.S. President Trump’s alleged ceasefire mediation. “Why the hush? Why not rebut him publicly?” he asked. Jaya Bachchan called for an apology to the victims, saying compassion—not just firepower—is what a democracy should display.
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda launched a fierce counterattack, alleging that the UPA government lacked the will to stand up to Pakistan during its tenure. NCP-SP MP Fauzia Khan demanded accountability for security failures, questioning the efficacy of India’s surveillance systems.
Meanwhile, Renuka Chowdhury noted that the Prime Minister had not even mentioned the victims of the Pahalgam attack in his earlier address. Samajwadi MP Manoj Jha’s speech resonated emotionally when he said, “The country cried when it heard the attackers asked victims about their religion—not their caste.”
Jaishankar, in response, clarified that no world leader—including Trump—had pressured India to halt Operation Sindoor, and that any communication about ceasefires came through military channels, not diplomacy. He also cited international forums like BRICS and the UN, where the TRF, allegedly responsible for the Pahalgam attack, was now officially acknowledged as a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
By the close of the session, one thing was clear: Operation Sindoor was not just a military maneuver—it was now a political flashpoint defining the Modi government’s security doctrine and reshaping India’s engagement on the world stage.
