'Extremely disappointing': Rajnath Singh slams Oppn for creating ruckus during discussion on astronaut Shukla

Slamming the opposition over its protest in Lok Sabha on Monday during discussion on astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's successful space mission, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed it "extremely disappointing".

"Today, during a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on the journey of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force and ISRO mission pilot to the International Space Station (ISS) and his subsequent return, the manner in which the opposition created a ruckus in the House and did not allow it to function is extremely unfortunate," Singh said.

"This discussion was on the topic “India’s Space Program and Its Role in Viksit Bharat 2047,” which is related to national achievement, the country’s pride, self-respect, and the prospects of scientific and national security in the future. The way the opposition obstructed it, their behavior today was extremely disappointing," he added in a post on X.

The discussion remained inconclusive as the House was adjourned due to vociferous protests by the opposition over the issue of Special Intensive Review of electoral rolls by the Election Commission in Bihar.

Shukla came back to India on August 17 after his historic visit to the International Space Station (ISS) last month.

He became the second Indian to undertake a spaceflight as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The government had proposed a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday on the subject 'India's first astronaut aboard the International Space Station -- Critical role of the space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047 -- to mark Shukla's return to India.

Shukla is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and travel to his hometown, Lucknow. He is also expected to return to the capital to participate in the National Space Day celebrations on August 22-23.

Parliament's Monsoon session has seen little transaction of official business in order, except for a two-day discussion on Operation Sindoor in both the Houses, due to the protests.

(With PTI inputs)