New Delhi. In a 16-hour-long debate in Lok Sabha today, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered a fiery and lengthy speech, launching a scathing attack on the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Focusing on Operation Sindoor, Rahul raised questions about the autonomy of the armed forces and the government’s policies, sparking a major uproar in Parliament. His address has become a hot topic across the nation.
Rahul began his speech by condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 civilian lives. He described it as a “cruel and orchestrated attack by the Pakistani government” that shook the entire country. He noted that every member of the House condemned the incident but questioned the government’s response. Rahul alleged that the government tied the hands of the military during Operation Sindoor, leading to the loss of Indian Air Force aircraft. He stated, “Our officers themselves are saying that the government bound our hands, which is why the planes crashed.”
In his speech, Rahul referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim, where Trump mentioned 25 times that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Rahul challenged PM Modi to clarify his stance, asking, “Narendra Modi ji, will you say in this House that Trump is lying and that no aircraft were lost in the operation? But you remain silent. This country is bigger than your image, and the army is above your PR.”
Rahul accused the government of signaling to Pakistan that their military installations would not be targeted during the operation, calling it a sign of weakness in defense policy. He said, “The operation started at 1:05 AM, and by 1:35 AM, Pakistan was informed that only non-military targets were hit. This is an attack on the freedom of our armed forces.” He further alleged that the government failed to provide solid support to the soldiers, leaving them to bear the consequences of a lack of political will.
Rahul also claimed that the government showed cowardice by avoiding military confrontation with Pakistan. He cited an example where Air Force pilots were stopped from attacking Pakistani air defenses, raising doubts about the operation’s success. He remarked, “You caged the tiger and expected it to fight. This is a betrayal of our armed forces.”
The speech was emotionally charged as Rahul paid tribute to the bravery of the soldiers, saying they defended the nation despite challenging circumstances, but the government failed to back them. His remarks were met with applause from Congress and other opposition members, while BJP MPs protested. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju labeled Rahul’s statements “unconstitutional” and an insult to the armed forces.
In response, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that Operation Sindoor was a success for the military and urged the opposition to rise above politics. However, Rahul hit back, insisting that the truth cannot be hidden and the government must come clean before the public. The debate escalated into chaos, prompting the Speaker to issue multiple warnings to maintain order.
Rahul’s speech has gone viral on social media, eliciting mixed reactions. Some hail it as a bold move in the interest of the military and the nation, while others call it a political stunt. All eyes are now on the government’s response and further discussions on this issue in the coming days.
