July 30,2025 – Congress MP Praniti Shinde sparked a major controversy during a parliamentary debate on Monday by referring to Operation Sindoor as a “government tamasha”, drawing sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. The comment came amid a broader Opposition offensive questioning the transparency and objectives of the cross-border military strike launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Shinde, who represents Solapur, said, “This is not the Roman Colosseum, where people sit and watch bloodshed for entertainment. No one is telling us what was achieved during Operation Sindoor. How many terrorists were killed? How many fighter jets did we lose?” Her remarks drew immediate rebuke from BJP MPs and allies, with some calling them “irresponsible” and “demoralizing” to the armed forces.
Lok Janshakti Party MP Shambhavi Choudhary countered the criticism by hailing the operation as a testament to a “new, confident India”, defending the government’s handling of the situation and accusing the Congress of undermining national unity.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi further intensified the debate on Tuesday. He accused the government of prioritizing optics over operational freedom, claiming that “our pilots’ hands were tied” and that the military was not allowed to act to its full capacity. Gandhi also raised concerns over the increasing coordination between China and Pakistan, suggesting that the strike was more political than strategic in nature.
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the operation, revealing that Indian forces had intercepted nearly 1,000 missiles and drones on May 9 alone. He emphasized that no foreign leader influenced India’s decision to retaliate and asserted that the strike had successfully targeted multiple terrorist installations without any collateral damage on Indian soil.
Home Minister Amit Shah also addressed Parliament, strongly criticizing the Opposition for seeking proof of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack. “When the country stands united against terrorism, some leaders are asking for evidence. This dishonours our security forces,” Shah said. He reiterated that Operation Sindoor was a calibrated response to state-sponsored terrorism.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval added technical details to the discussion, stating that nine terror hubs across the border were struck during a 23-minute operation, which neutralized over 100 terrorists.
Meanwhile, NCP’s Supriya Sule questioned the operation’s success, asserting that until those responsible for the Pahalgam killings are caught, celebrations are premature. BSP chief Mayawati called for national unity, praising the armed forces and urging all parties to avoid politicizing defence operations. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, however, made a divergent claim, suggesting the real conflict was with China, not Pakistan.
Congress’s approach to the debate also drew attention, as the party did not include senior MPs such as Shashi Tharoor or Manish Tewari—both part of prior diplomatic outreach efforts—in its speakers’ list, opting instead for newer voices like Shinde.
As tensions continue to simmer in Parliament, the political row over Operation Sindoor underscores deepening divisions on national security policy and the role of military operations in the domestic political landscape.
