The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Monday following a special discussion honouring Commander Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
The session was disrupted by protests from Opposition parties over issues including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar and allegations concerning the Election Commission.
Amid continued uproar, the House was adjourned and will reconvene on 19 August 2025 at 11:00 AM.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh criticised the Opposition for what he called its reluctance to acknowledge India’s space achievements.
He said it was “surprising” that Opposition members could not even appreciate the country’s successes in space exploration, pointing out that India had also demonstrated its capabilities during Operation Sindoor.
Opening the special discussion on astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s return to India after his ISS mission, Singh remarked that the Opposition was misdirecting its anger towards an astronaut who has no political affiliations.
“Your anger can be with the government, your anger can be with the BJP and the NDA. But it is surprising that you can be angry with an astronaut. And that astronaut who, apart from being an astronaut, is also a disciplined soldier of the Indian Air Force. He does not belong to any political party,” Singh said, as Opposition MPs raised slogans inside the House.
“You are angry with the earth, you are angry with the sky and today you seem to be angry with space as well,” he added.
The Union MoS (IC) further highlighted the role of space technology during Operation Sindoor, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for strengthening India’s capabilities in recent years.
Also Read : Lok Sabha extends One Nation One Election JPC deadline
“Just some time ago, through Operation Sindoor, India’s capability was shown, from the earth to the sky, the whole world recognised India. During Operation Sindoor too, the role of space technology was also shown 10 years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power,” Singh said.
He questioned the Opposition over its handling of the space sector while in power, arguing that a “new chapter” began in 2014 when Modi first assumed office.
“Why did our Space Department remain isolated for 60–70 years, and why did it work at a slow pace? When that question is answered, then we will understand that on 26 May 2014, the day Modi ji took charge as Prime Minister, a new chapter began, and this journey of space gained momentum and strength,” he said.
Singh noted that India’s scientific talent had always existed, but progress had been stifled by what he described as weak policies of past governments.
“Another question will also be asked that it could be done before too, so why did it not happen? The answer might be that our country never lacked on scientists, there was capability, willingness, dreams and hopes in their hearts and eyes, willingness to work, but the deficiency was in harmony, which is defined through policy. If there was any lacking, then it was with political dispensation, that lacking was finished in 2014,” he added.
Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, who returned to Earth on 15 July after completing NASA’s Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, arrived in the national capital in the early hours of Sunday.
He was part of NASA’s Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on 25 June. Shukla returned on 15 July, splashing down off the coast of California. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space.
Follow us
