What to Expect from the Upcoming Parliamentary Debate on Pahalgam Terror Attack?

Parliament Set for Key Discussions on Terrorism and National Security

New Delhi: The Indian Parliament is gearing up for significant discussions regarding the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, scheduled for early next week. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are anticipated to engage in a 16-hour debate each.

During a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee on July 21, the government consented to the lengthy discussion in the Lok Sabha, with a similar agreement reached in the Rajya Sabha's BAC meeting on Wednesday. This comes as the opposition insists that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should address the matter.

The Lok Sabha is set to commence the debate on July 28, followed by the Rajya Sabha a day later, provided there are no interruptions, according to sources.

Recent opposition protests over various issues, particularly the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, have disrupted proceedings in both Houses since the Monsoon session began on Monday, with only a few transactions taking place.

The opposition has criticized the government for not prioritizing discussions on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack that occurred on April 22.

Sources indicate that while the government has not committed to the opposition's request for the Prime Minister's address, it has proposed a parliamentary discussion next week, anticipating Modi's return from a four-day foreign trip that commenced on Wednesday.

A senior leader from the BJP remarked that the debate surrounding the conflict with Pakistan, which arose after India's retaliation under Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, is expected to garner significant national and international attention.

The leader suggested that the Prime Minister might use this opportunity to articulate the government's strong stance on the terror attack and other related issues, although a final decision on whether Modi will speak has yet to be made.

Congress's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, who participated in the BAC meeting, stated, "We have insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be present during the discussion, and we have received assurances from the government regarding this."

This BAC meeting was the first since Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as vice president on Monday, during which he chaired two consecutive committee meetings to finalize the agenda for the House. The vice president serves as the ex officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Dhankhar postponed the second meeting to Tuesday, as Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju were unavailable due to other official commitments. Dhankhar later resigned to focus on health care.

The BAC comprises representatives from various parties and is chaired by the presiding officers of both Houses.

The opposition has also called for debates on several other issues, including the Bihar SIR, but the government has not yet provided any assurances on these matters.