Did Speaker Om Birla Criticize the Opposition Over the Operation Sindoor Debate?

New Delhi, July 28 (NationPress) The Lok Sabha convened with great anticipation for the upcoming debate on Operation Sindoor, which is India's military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

The session commenced with Krishna Prasad Tenneti presiding, informing members that the adjournment motion was not accepted. He invited ministers to present official documents and reports on the House floor.

Key figures who submitted papers included Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jayant Chaudhary, Pankaj Choudhri, Shobha Karandlaje, Raksha Khadse, Sukanta Majumdar, Harsh Malhotra, and Kiren Rijiju, representing various portfolios such as higher education, finance, MSME, youth affairs, and corporate affairs.

The House also received the tenth report from the Committee on Government Business, dated July 25, which outlined the legislative agenda for the week. According to Rule 377 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, members were granted a 20-minute opportunity to raise urgent public issues.

This segment, commonly used to highlight constituency-level concerns, was expected to showcase a wide array of issues from across the nation. At 12:06 pm, Speaker Om Birla entered and addressed the growing disruption regarding the proposed discussion on Operation Sindoor. He reminded members that the Business Advisory Committee had unanimously agreed to schedule the debate and that opposition leaders had verbally consented during a meeting in his chamber.

Birla expressed disappointment, noting that some members were now backtracking on that promise.

Opposition MPs, however, continued to chant slogans demanding immediate discussion not only on Operation Sindoor but also on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The phrase “SIR par charcha karo” resonated throughout the chamber as Speaker Birla repeatedly urged adherence to parliamentary procedure.

He pointedly questioned whether the House wished to proceed with the debate, emphasizing that such discussions should follow the guidelines established by the Business Advisory Committee rather than through shouting slogans in the House.

Unable to restore order, Birla adjourned the House until 1 p.m.

The backdrop to this tension is the high-stakes debate on Operation Sindoor, India's calculated military response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.

From May 7 to 10, Indian forces targeted nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, an operation described by the government as “strong, successful and decisive”.

The opposition, led by Congress and INDIA bloc leaders, has sought accountability for intelligence oversights leading up to the attack and clarity on claims of international mediation, notably those from US President Donald Trump, who has claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

The Lok Sabha is set to engage in a 16-hour debate on Operation Sindoor, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opening the discussion. Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are anticipated to present the government's stance, while Rahul Gandhi will lead the opposition's counter. Congress has issued a whip for full attendance, highlighting the political significance of the debate.