Chouhan criticises Congress for disrupting discussion on astronaut Shukla’s mission

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday criticised the Congress and other opposition parties for disrupting parliamentary proceedings when the Lok Sabha was scheduled to hold a special discussion on “India’s First Astronaut on the International Space Station: The Role of the Space Programme in Making India a Developed Nation by 2047.”

The Opposition parties, including the Congress, resorted to sloganeering and staged a walkout.

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“Why is it that whenever India’s global standing rises, the Congress seems to feel uneasy?” Chouhan remarked.

“There are moments in a nation’s journey that should transcend political divisions. Whenever India has achieved something that made the nation proud, the whole country has rejoiced—yet Congress has raised doubts and cried foul,” he said in a video message.

Citing examples such as the successful Chandrayaan landing on the Moon’s South Pole, the surgical strikes by the Indian Army, and Operation Sindoor, Chouhan said that while the nation stood united in pride, Congress chose to question and criticise.

“Be it air strikes or our military’s decisive operations, while the entire country applauds our forces, the Congress keeps asking: ‘But how much damage was done?’” he added.

Referring to India’s scientific achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Minister said, “Our scientists developed a vaccine, and under the Prime Minister’s leadership, it was supplied to over 100 countries, saving countless lives. But the Congress dismissed it as ‘Modi’s vaccine’ and even warned people against taking it.”

Chouhan also praised Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s astronaut who recently visited the International Space Station, calling him a symbol of national pride.

“At a time when the nation was ready to welcome him with open arms, and Parliament was to discuss his historic achievement, the Congress created chaos in the Well of the House. Shouldn’t all parties, regardless of affiliation, have united to honour him?” he asked.