After a week-long impasse, Parliament is set to resume its proceedings smoothly from Monday with the government agreeing to hold a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, a decisive military operation in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The development came after an agreement was reached between the government and the Opposition on Friday to ensure smooth functioning of both houses during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament that started July 21 and has since not transacted any constructive business.
The agreement was hammered out during a meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with floor leaders from various political parties and government representatives, including Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Congress Deputy Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi. As part of the agreement, the government has allocated 16 hours for the debate on Operation Sindoor, which has been hailed as a strong, successful, and decisive response to terrorism.
Operation Sindoor is a retaliatory military operation conducted by the Indian armed forces in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation aimed to neutralize the terrorists and prevent further attacks on civilians and security personnel.
The government’s decision to hold a special discussion on the Operation reflects its commitment to transparency and accountability. The Opposition had been demanding a discussion on the operation, seeking clarity on the government’s response to the terrorist attack and the measures taken to prevent future attacks.
Parliament’s proceedings were disrupted for the fifth consecutive day till Friday due to protests by the opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as the Vice President of India.
The INDIA bloc MPs had been demanding a discussion on the SIR exercise, citing concerns over voter disenfranchisement and alleging cheating in the voter list revision process.
The protests had led to repeated adjournments of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with the opposition staging protests inside and outside Parliament. However, with the agreement in place, Parliament is now expected to function smoothly, allowing for meaningful discussions and debates on important issues, including Operation Sindoor.
The government’s willingness to engage in a debate on the operation demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability. The opposition, in turn, has agreed to cooperate with the government to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament. With the impasse now behind them, lawmakers can focus on discussing critical issues and holding the government accountable for its actions.