Government agrees 16-hour debate on Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor in Lok Sabha next week

New Delhi: The government has agreed to hold a debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha in the coming week. The discussion, which will be spread across three days and 16 hours in total, will be held under Rule 193 next week. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee held on Monday, the first day of the Monsoon session.

In the Rajya Sabha floor leaders held a meeting with Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar asking for a discussion on Operation Sindoor. As no consensus was reached, another meeting of the BAC of the Upper House will be held on Tuesday.

Opposition leaders in both Houses have demanded the participation of the prime minister in the discussion. While the government has not yet confirmed his presence, they said that the prime minister will be available to speak on the issues after his visit to Maldives and UK. The Opposition has also demanded that the home minister, as well as defence minister be present during the discussions.

While the BAC of the Lok Sabha had a consensus to hold discussions on key issues, leaders in the Rajya Sabha could not come to an agreement in one meeting, following which another meeting was held. But due to some organisational duties, leaders of the BJP including president JP Nadda could not be present in the second meeting, and hence, another one is slated for Tuesday, those attending the meetings said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Jagdeep Dhankhar had told the Houses that the government was willing for a debate and would respond to all issues. Dhankhar said he has already admitted a notice by BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya seeking a discussion in the Upper House on Operation Sindoor and the schedule would be finalised after discussing with floor leaders.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda also announced that the government is willing to have a discussion, as the Opposition vociferously demanded an immediate discussion on the issue.

In the Lok Sabha BAC, it has been decided that discussions on the Income Tax Bill 2025 will be held across 12 hours, while 8 hours have been set aside for discussions on the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 and National Sports Governance Bill 2025 together. Three hours have been set aside for discussions on the Indian Ports Bill 2025. A lot of back and forth is expected on two items on strife-torn Manipur – the Demand for Grants for the state for the year 2025-26 as well as a bill to replace the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance.

In the Lok Sabha, discussions on the SIR exercise in Bihar will also take place in the coming weeks, leaders said.