The Lok Sabha saw a fiery face-off on Monday as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi clashed in a marathon debate on Operation Sindoor and the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, as part of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Initiating a scathing attack on the government, Congress’s Lok Sabha Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi criticized the Modi government’s openness on India’s military activities, including Operation Sindoor, and called for an explanation from the Home Minister for the Pahalgam attack.
“How Many Rafale Jets Were Shot Down?” Gogoi Demands to Know
Gogoi sparked the controversy by putting serious questions on India’s military readiness and so-called operational losses.
“There are only 35 Rafale aircraft in India, and if any of them have been shot down, I believe it is a great loss,” Gogoi added, quoting an earlier remark by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, who admitted “initial losses” in the operation but did not provide any details.
Gogoi called for a clarification from the Defence Minister, “Our fighters were shot down by how many? Tell us today, Rajnath Singh ji. We need to report this not only to the people but to our jawans too because they are also being cheated.”
He also criticized the delay in justice, “The country wants to know — 100 days have passed since the Pahalgam attack, but this government has not brought the terrorists to justice.”
Rajnath Singh Defends Operation Sindoor, Praises Armed Forces
Attacking fiercely, Rajnath Singh praised the armed forces and justified the government’s response to Operation Sindoor.
“Certain members of the Opposition are inquiring how many of our planes were brought down. I do not think their question reflects our national sentiments fully. They did not ask us to what extent our armed forces shot down enemy planes,” Singh stated.
He declared the success of the mission, saying, “If they need to ask a question, it should be whether India has destroyed terror camps — and yes, it was. If you wish to understand if Operation Sindoor was a success, again, yes. Were terror leaders killed? Yes. And to those enquiring if any of our own soldiers were injured, the answer is no, not one of our brave soldiers was injured.”
Gogoi Blames Centre of Weakness, Targets Amit Shah
Gogoi took a step further by accusing Home Minister Amit Shah of not acting to stop the Pahalgam terror attack and termed the response of the government weak.
“Who will take responsibility, the (J&K) LG? It is the home minister who needs to take responsibility. You cannot hide behind the LG.”
He alleged, saying that even the Centre blamed local tour operators for the attack.
He also alluded to former US President Donald Trump’s assertion that he threatened India and Pakistan with trade actions to facilitate a ceasefire.
“US President Trump has made the accusation ’26 times’ that he employed the threat of trade to achieve a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He claims five to six fighter jets have been shot down. One jet is of crores and crores (of rupees) — that is why we wish to know from the defence minister.”
“They’re Repeating Pulwama, Uri Lines.” Gogoi condemned the government’s repeated use of post-attack talk.
“The prime minister was declaring after Uri and after Pulwama that ‘humne ghar mein ghus ke maara’. Now they are repeating the same thing that Operation Sindoor is not complete, and Pakistan can do this again, then how is this a success?”
He ended with a stinging question to the prime minister, What does the Opposition want to know from Modi — if Pakistan was willing to kneel before India, why did we stop and on whose knees have you surrendered?”
As the debate rages for 16 hours, calls for government accountability and openness continue to be at the center of the debate, while the government is unyielding on its thesis of a successful counter-terror operation.
