Opposition Wants PM Modi To Lead Op Sindoor Debate, But Here's Why Govt Prefers Rajnath Singh

Last Updated:July 21, 2025, 21:27 IST

The precedent was set during the Galwan Valley clashes on the Indo-China border in 2020 when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed Parliament

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks in the Lok Sabha during the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi on July 21. (Image: Sansad TV/PTI)

The opposition wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on Operation Sindoor in Parliament, but the Centre is insisting that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the charge as it was a military operation.

The precedent was set during the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 on the Indo-China border when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed Parliament. Similarly, during Operation Sindoor, Modi addressed the nation, but Singh delivered the official statement in Parliament.

Last year, after the political upheaval in Bangladesh when former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, it was Foreign Minister S Jaishankar who briefed both the Houses. In all-party meetings held before each Parliament session, Singh or JP Nadda typically chair them.

On Monday, senior ministers met Modi in Parliament and appraised him of the opposition’s demand of him making a statement on Operation Sindoor. He will be available in Parliament only next week when he returns from his foreign tour.

The opposition has demanded that the Prime Minister should be present at all-party meetings and address Parliament on major issues. The Congress questioned why he was leaving for a four-day foreign tour this week when Parliament is in session and wants to discuss Operation Sindoor.

The BJP views this as an attempt by the opposition parties to target Modi on every issue. The government wants to take a clear stand on US President Donald Trump’s claims about the “ceasefire" between India and Pakistan, as the PM did during his 35-minute phone call with Trump last month but is cautious not to affect the upcoming Indo-US trade deal.

It is unclear when the discussion on Operation Sindoor will happen – the opposition wants it next week when Modi returns.

VIJAY UTSAV, SAYS PM MODI

The PM set the tone for the monsoon session on Monday by suggesting that it should be celebrated as a ‘Vijay Utsav’ given Operation Sindoor’s success. The opposition quickly responded.

“Yes, Operation Sindoor was a success and a response to terror activities from Pakistan soil. I was part of the all-party delegations that went abroad. However, you can only celebrate when you have the terrorists who carried out the attack. The closure for the families will come when these terrorists are killed or hanged. We haven’t yet found the terrorists…and the true Vijay Utsav will be the day we do that…and also know the lapses," Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi told News18.

The BJP has questioned why the opposition believes Trump’s claims over the country’s PM. Shiv Sena leader and NDA ally Milind Deora told News18 that the “opposition should have faith in our Prime Minister over other state heads". BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan said it is a “victory session" for the government.

“We smashed Pakistan very badly and the world has seen it. I take pride in what my PM says…and I won’t comment on what Trump has said," Kishan said.

Congress MP Imran Masood said Modi should publicly contradict Trump’s claims. “We want our PM to look strong. We want the government to lay out facts," he said.

Aman Sharma

Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office....Read More

Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office....

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News politics Opposition Wants PM Modi To Lead Op Sindoor Debate, But Here's Why Govt Prefers Rajnath Singh