The government has agreed to a 16-hour discussion on
Operation Sindoor, Pahalgam terror attack
NEW DELHI, July 21: Government on Monday agreed to a 16-hour discussion in the Lok Sabha on Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam terror attack, and it is likely to be taken up next week, even as the opposition insisted that it should start this week itself and Prime Minister Narendra Modi must reply.
At the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), attended by members of different parties and chaired by Speaker Om Birla, sources said that the government representatives noted that PM Modi is leaving on a foreign visit this week, and a debate when he is present in the House is possible only next week.
Asked if the government’s stand means that Modi may speak on the issue in the House, official sources said no decision has been taken yet.
The prime minister met his senior Cabinet colleagues who later held deliberations among themselves on the ruling alliance’s strategy.
Opposition members protested at the BAC meeting that the government’s agenda for this week did not mention their demand for a debate on the issue.
They said the home minister and the defence minister should also be present during the discussion.
Some opposition members also called for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and the situation in Manipur.
With the impasse continuing, the Lower House was adjourned for the day as protesting opposition members disrupted proceedings.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi later slammed the government for not including the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in this week’s agenda.
Speaking to reporters, he accused the government of double standards, saying it does not follow what it claims in public.
“The government is listing its bills but is not ready to prioritise an issue on which the entire nation wants to hear from Parliament,” he said.
LS ADJOURNED AMID UPROAR FOR DISCUSSION ON OP SINDOOR
The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday amid noisy protests by the opposition, which demanded a discussion on Operation Sindoor and other issues.
This was the fourth adjournment on the first day of the month-long Monsoon session.
As soon as the House reconvened at 4 pm after the third adjournment, Dilip Saikia, who was in the Chair, urged members to allow a bill on readjustment of Goa Assembly seats to be taken up.
However, the opposition continued raising slogans over its demand for a discussion on Operation Sindoor, under which Indian armed forces carried out attacks on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Earlier, when the House met at 2 pm after the second adjournment, the Chair appealed to opposition members to allow the House to function. Amid continuous sloganeering, Sandhya Ray adjourned the proceedings till 4 pm.
The House was adjourned over the same issues earlier in the day.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the opposition MPs that the government is ready to have a long discussion on all issues that the Speaker agrees to.
“The government is ready to discuss any topic the opposition wants. Whatever time they need to discuss, the government is ready to answer all questions,” Singh said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the opposition members to place their demand during the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) scheduled at 2:30 pm on Monday.“The government is ready to reply to all the issues that the Speaker agrees to at the BAC meeting. But to raise slogans and not let the House function on the first day of the Monsoon session is unacceptable,” Rijiju said in the House.
As opposition members continued to protest in the Well, Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair, asked them to return to their seats and assured them that Speaker Om Birla would allow them to raise all matters that they wanted to discuss.
With the opposition leaders not relenting, Pal said, “I appeal to the leader of opposition, I appeal to Rahul Gandhi to let the House take up Zero Hour. People of the country are watching the proceedings and seeing that the government is ready to discuss all issues, but the opposition does not want the House to function.” When the Lok Sabha met at 11 am, after obituary references, opposition members led by the Congress were up on their feet as they insisted on a discussion on Operation Sindoor.
Birla said he was ready to allow the members to raise all issues, including Operation Sindoor, after Question Hour — the first hour of the day when members raise questions related to different ministries and departments.
“I will allow you to raise all issues after Question Hour. The House will function according to rules and regulations. I cannot allow sloganeering and raising of placards,” he said.
Birla said if the members give notice, he will allow them to raise all issues and give enough time to each of the MPs.
“Honourable members, this is Question Hour. We must try to maintain high parliamentary standards. We must try to fulfil the hopes and expectations of the people who have elected us and debate and discuss important issues of the country,” he said.
“Go outside the House for sloganeering,” he said.“You want a discussion on Operation Sindoor, I will allow it after Question Hour. The government is ready to reply to all issues,” he said. (PTI)