The Lok Sabha has commenced a high-voltage debate on the April Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, a cross-border counter-terror operation spearheaded by India. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opened the session Monday, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defended the government’s firm international posture, emphasizing India’s rejection of third-party mediation amidst US-led ceasefire suggestions.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to deliver a major address at around 12:00 pm in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to conclude with remarks in the evening.
Exclusion of Key Congress MPs from Speaker List
With reference to the fact that many Congress MPs shot their pass on the debate, Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari, as well as Amar Singh, were conspicuously absent from the party’s official speaker roster for the Lok Sabha. All three had earlier participated in the government-constituted multi-party delegations tasked with global diplomatic outreach following the Operation Sindoor campaign—Tharoor and Tewari representing Congress in high-profile international forums.
Tharoor: “Maun Vrat”—Refuses to Speak
When questioned by reporters about his exclusion, Shashi Tharoor reportedly turned down the opportunity to respond, opting instead for what he called a “vow of silence” or “maun vrat.” Party insiders point to apparent disagreements over message strategy within Congress by stating that he was not formally approached and did not request inclusion. In recent months, Tharoor has assumed a pivotal diplomatic role, guiding Indian delegations to the US and other nations to denounce Pakistan’s financing of terrorism and put Operation Sindoor in context.
Tewari’s Cryptic Response via Patriotic Song
Manish Tewari, the Chandigarh MP, responded to his exclusion with a cryptic post on X, quoting lyrics from the patriotic song “Bharat Ka Rehne Waala Hoon” from the 1970 film Purab Aur Pachhim. The lines translated to: “Where love is part of our tradition, of that land I sing. I come from Bharat, it is Bharat’s story that I sing.” Along with the lyric, he shared a news screenshot detailing his exclusion, signaling frustration or ideological disagreement within the party.
Party Discomfort & Internal Strategy
Insiders suggest the Congress leadership was uncomfortable with Tharoor’s global visibility, especially after his favourable remarks on Operation Sindoor in international forums were interpreted as endorsing government policy—a stance at odds with the party’s opposition narrative. Tewari was also allegedly excluded from the speaker list due to their public rhetoric and support for the government-led outreach. This action seems to be an attempt by the leadership of Congress to control internal unity and steer clear of opposing views during a nationally broadcast discussion.
Looking Ahead: Today’s House Schedule
At 12 pm, Amit Shah is expected to take the floor in the Lok Sabha to fortify the government’s security narrative and respond to the opposition’s criticisms. In the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to speak, potentially concluding the Operation Sindoor debate with a firm articulation of the government’s position. On the opposition bench, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and several senior INDIA bloc leaders are also slated to speak.
