The government has agreed to a 16-hour-long debate in Parliament on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, but next week, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from an overseas visit. The decision was taken after the first day of the Monsoon Session on Monday was washed out in both Houses, with the Congress-led Opposition disrupting the proceedings seeking a discussion on the terror attack and the conflict with Pakistan.
The Opposition wants the two issues to be taken up before the House gets into any other business. However, sources said, the Treasury Benches pointed out at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting that the Opposition wanted the PM and Defence Minister Rajnath Minister to be present during the debate. “So the time is slotted for next week,” said a source.
PM Modi is leaving for the UK and Maldives on Wednesday and is returning on July 26.
The government wants to take up the Income Tax Bill, 2025, on priority, as per sources on the ruling side. However, the Opposition is yet to decide whether to allow any legislative business before a discussion on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor.
A meeting of INDIA bloc floor leaders has been scheduled for 10 am Tuesday at Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s chamber in the Parliament complex.
On Monday, BJP MP Baijayant Panda-led Select Committee tabled its report on the Income Tax Bill. The BAC, which recommends allocation of time for discussions, has kept aside 12 hours for a debate on the Bill.
The Select Committee has suggested over 285 amendments to offer relief to small taxpayers and for clarity on certain provisions, and the Bill is likely to be amended and get the clearance of the Cabinet before being brought to the House. The Union Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal told reporters in the morning: “Our demand is that there should be a discussion (on Pahalgam), this is an important issue. We are proud of our country. The Prime Minister should come and make a statement.”
The Lok Sabha witnessed four abrupt adjournments Monday, with the Opposition ignoring the appeals of Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju when the House met at 12 noon to let the proceedings continue, saying the government was ready for a debate on every issue, and “was ready to answer all questions”.
Rijiju told the Opposition to place their demands during the BAC meeting, and let the Speaker take a call. “But to raise slogans and not let the House function on the first day of the Monsoon Session is unacceptable.”
Speaker Om Birla said he was ready to allow the members to raise all issues, including Operation Sindoor, but after Question Hour — the first hour of the day, set aside for MPs to raise questions related to different ministries and departments. “The House will function according to rules and regulations. I cannot allow sloganeering and raising of placards,” he said, urging the members to give a notice if they wanted to speak.
Rahul Gandhi claimed he was not allowed to speak in the House when he tried to on Monday. “The Defence Minister is allowed to speak, but Opposition members, including me, who is the LoP, are not allowed to speak… This is a new approach… The convention states that if people from the government side can speak, then we should also be given space to speak,” Gandhi told reporters outside the House.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra added: “If they are ready for a discussion, they should let the Leader of the Opposition speak. He stood up to speak, so he should be allowed to speak.”
However, senior BJP leader Sanjay Jaiswal denied this, saying Gandhi was not even present when the House met at noon, after which papers on the agenda were tabled and the ministers spoke. “Rahul Gandhi did not come to the House initially… He came late, but was seen talking to other Opposition leaders on the side. Not once did he ask the Chair to let him speak,” Jaiswal said.
Before both the Houses met, PM Modi in his customary opening remarks said the government will be introducing Bills “that will strengthen the country’s development journey, strengthen the country’s progress, and empower the citizens of the country”. “The House will pass them after detailed discussions,” he said, urging the members to cooperate with the government.
Modi met senior ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman as well as Rijiju and Arjun Meghwal during the day. “The PM was briefed about the decisions taken at the BAC and the Opposition’s demand for his presence during the debate.”
The Monsoon Session is scheduled till August 21, with a break from August 12 to August 18, and will have 21 sittings across 32 days.
