Monsoon session: Nadda vs Kharge in Rajya Sabha; Pahalgam attack, Trump's claim take centrestage

NEW DELHI: The Monsoon Session of Parliament began with with a fiery debate between Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the House, JP Nadda, over the government's response to the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor .

Kharge demanded a debate, raising serious concerns about the intelligence failure and the lack of accountability, while also seeking clarity on US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire.

“I have given notice in the House, as per the rules, regarding the situation following the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor,” Kharge said.

“The terrorists responsible have neither been apprehended nor eliminated to date. We had extended unconditional support to the government to maintain unity in the country and to strengthen the armed forces. In light of this, we wish to know from the government what the complete situation is.”

He also referred to statements made by Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha and said the CDS, Deputy Army Chief, and other officers. “Furthermore, the government should clarify its stance on the statement made by US President Trump, as he has claimed not once but 24 times that he facilitated a ceasefire. This is a humiliating matter for the country,” he added.

Nadda, responding to Kharge’s demands, said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ready for a full debate on Operation Sindoor. “Such an operation has never happened since the country got its independence,” he remarked.

However, he criticised Kharge for discussing minute operational details which, he said, were outside the scope of his Rule 267 notice. “Am not going into the details of it but I will like to tell you Samik Bhattaracharya under Rule 167 on his own has put in the Business Advisory Committee and that Bharat Sarkar under PM Modi is willing to discuss on every issue and everything will be discussed,” Nadda stated.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar admitted Kharge’s motion for discussion and assured the Opposition of a full-fledged debate. Addressing the ruckus in the House, Dhankhar said, “Dialogue and discussion, not conflict, are the way forward. Internal fighting strengthens our enemies and provides material to divide us.” He called on MPs to avoid personal attacks and uphold India’s democratic ethos.

Despite the Chairman’s assurances, Congress MPs staged a walkout during Question Hour after the House was adjourned following uproar. Earlier, Kharge had said, “Till today, the terrorists have not been caught or neutralised. The LG of J-K had made a statement that there was an intelligence failure... US President Trump has claimed 24 times that the ceasefire happened only due to his intervention.”

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, was a coordinated tri-services military campaign aimed at neutralising cross-border terror infrastructure. A ceasefire was announced on 10 May.

Meanwhile, proceedings in the Lok Sabha were also marred by protests. Speaker Om Birla urged MPs to allow debate, stating, “This is the Question Hour and the Government is willing to discuss on every issue.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju echoed the government's readiness to engage. However, Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alleged that the government was silencing dissent.