During a special debate in the Lok Sabha on India’s response to Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, a sharp exchange unfolded between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the government’s decision to accept a ceasefire after launching Operation Sindoor in May.
While addressing the House, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian armed forces were given full operational freedom to retaliate against Pakistan. Speaking in Hindi, he said, “We gave the defence forces complete freedom to select targets and carry out a powerful response.”
According to Singh, on the morning of May 10, the Indian Air Force had successfully targeted and destroyed multiple Pakistani airbases. Following this, Pakistan reportedly admitted defeat and requested a cessation of hostilities. Singh was recounting the sequence of events, stating, “They (Pakistan) called our DGMO and said, ‘Sir, please stop now, it’s enough’ (‘Maharaj, ab rok dijiye; bahut ho gaya’).” He added that India agreed to the ceasefire but had placed certain conditions.
However, at this point in Singh’s speech, Rahul Gandhi abruptly stood up and questioned, “Toh aapne (kaarvayi) roki kyun? (Then why did you stop the operation?)” His intervention appeared to question the rationale behind calling off military action when Pakistan was allegedly on the back foot. The comment triggered a stir among MPs from the ruling alliance, who reacted vocally. Singh gestured towards Rahul Gandhi and requested him to sit down, stating, “I have already explained this in detail in my speech. I respect the right of the Leader of Opposition to ask questions, but he should listen to my complete statement.”
Also Read: NDA MPs protest misogynistic slur, INDIA bloc targets EC's SIR
Earlier in his address, Rajnath Singh had made it clear that India’s objective was strictly to target terrorist infrastructure and not to escalate tensions with Pakistan unnecessarily. He mentioned that soon after India’s precision strikes on nine terror-linked locations, the Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had communicated with his Pakistani counterpart to clarify India’s intention. “We told them that we do not wish to escalate... but they failed to grasp our reasoning,” Singh said.
However, the point that seemed to provoke Rahul Gandhi was Singh’s reference to a second phone call — this time initiated by Pakistan’s DGMO — requesting India to halt the military operations. This plea from the Pakistani side came after it had retaliated and struck some Indian areas.
The core of the Opposition’s discontent lies in the manner in which the ceasefire was declared — particularly given the claims that US President Donald Trump played a role in brokering it. The Congress party has maintained that India, having already inflicted significant damage on Pakistani assets, should have carried on the operation until its full strategic objectives were achieved.
Also Read: Rajya Sabha adjourned, Operation Sindoor debate on Tuesday
Gaurav Gogoi, Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, questioned the sudden end to military operations. “The entire country, including the Opposition, was supporting Prime Minister Modi. Then, on May 10, we suddenly learned that a ceasefire had been declared. Why?” Gogoi asked following Rajnath Singh’s address.
He further pointed to repeated claims by then-US President Donald Trump, who had publicly stated multiple times — “26 times,” according to Gogoi — that he had intervened to pressure both India and Pakistan into agreeing to a ceasefire. “We want to ask Prime Minister Modi: If Pakistan was ready to kneel, why did you stop? And who did you surrender to?” Gogoi questioned.
The Opposition's line of inquiry reflects growing scepticism over whether India should have accepted a ceasefire at that juncture, and whether foreign influence played a decisive role in halting a military campaign that, according to the government, had placed Pakistan on the defensive.
Also Read: India foiled Pakistan attack, says Rajnath Singh in Parliament
Follow us
