Monsoon Session of Parliament kicks off on stormy note over Op Sindoor

The Monsoon Session of Parliament got off to a rocky start today, as the Opposition demanded a discussion on Operation Sindoor in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The heated protests led to the Rajya Sabha being adjourned twice and the Lok Sabha being adjourned thrice before being finally adjourned for the day at 4 PM without transacting any constructive business.

The Opposition, led by the Congress, insisted on a discussion on Operation Sindoor, India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.

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Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon initially. Later, they were adjourned again till 2 PM. The Lok Sabha faced yet another adjournment till 4 PM, after which it was finally adjourned for the day.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the Opposition to raise their demands at the Business Advisory Committee meeting. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the Opposition of a discussion on all issues agreed upon by the Speaker.

Operation Sindoor refers to India’s military response following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Opposition demands Prime Minister Narendra Modi address Parliament on this matter.

The Monsoon Session is slated to run until August 21, with a break from August 12 to August 18 for Independence Day celebrations.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing media persons ahead of the Monsoon Session, described the session as a “celebration of victory,” highlighting India’s military prowess and developmental accomplishments. He also lauded the success of Operation Sindoor.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who also made a statement at the start of the session, urged all political parties to “foster bonhomie and mutual respect, avoiding unbecoming language or personal attacks against leaders on television or elsewhere.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also appealed for cooperation among all political parties for the smooth functioning of the House during the Monsoon Session. Birla emphasized the importance of reducing disruptions in House proceedings to ensure issues faced by people can be raised effectively.

Moreover, the Rajya Sabha settled down after it reassembled at 2 PM and took up for consideration and passing the Bills of Lading Bill, 2024, seeking to replace the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856 and provide a legal framework for issuance of bills of lading. The bill was finally passed comfortably in the Upper House.

In a significant development, 145 members of the Lok Sabha and 63 Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha submitted a memorandum seeking the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma. The notice cites Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the Constitution and follows the discovery of burnt currency notes at Justice Varma’s residence. MPs across party lines signed the memorandum, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, BJP’s Anurag Thakur, and NCP(SP)’s Supriya Sule.