Opposition Slams Centre Over Pahalgam Attack, Questions Ceasefire and Trump’s Mediation Claim

On the second day of the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, opposition leaders sharply criticized the Narendra Modi government, citing an “intelligence failure” and “lack of security” behind the Pahalgam terror attack. They demanded accountability from the top leadership.

Concerns Over Intelligence and Ceasefire

The opposition pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt ceasefire announcement on social media, questioning India’s foreign policy and failure to diplomatically isolate Pakistan.

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emphasized that leadership means accepting responsibility, not just taking credit. She stated that Trump’s ceasefire announcement symbolized the Prime Minister’s “irresponsibility”.

Direct Attack on Amit Shah

Responding to Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments quoting Salman Khurshid about Sonia Gandhi, Vadra stated, “I would like to answer to that point, my mother cried when her husband was martyred by terrorists.”

She asserted that no amount of self-praise for Operation Sindoor could excuse the government’s failure to protect tourists. “I want to ask whose responsibility is the safety of the country’s citizens? Is it not the responsibility of this country’s Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister?” she questioned.

Reading out names of the Pahalgam victims, she responded to BJP members who noted they were all Hindus: “They were all Bharatiyas.”

Kanimozhi and Akhilesh Yadav Raise Foreign Policy Failures

DMK MP Kanimozhi criticized the government for relying on opposition leaders to perform global outreach following the operation.

“We had to go because you have failed the people of India,” she said, accusing the Home Minister of focusing only on blaming the opposition.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said that despite claims that scrapping Article 370 would prevent terror, the Pahalgam attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor proved otherwise.

He also noted that no country supported India during the operation, calling it a dark period for foreign diplomacy. He questioned why Operation Mahadev was launched on the day Parliament began the debate.

Opposition Alleges Diplomatic Setback

Congress leader K.V. Venugopal said the ceasefire announced by Trump before the Indian government amounted to third-party intervention—unprecedented in Indian history.

He criticized Shah’s speech for ignoring the “security failure,” noting 26 civilians were killed without security cover. “A state is burning and the Home Minister is saying that everything is safe,” he remarked.

DMK’s A. Raja said blaming Nehru and Indira Gandhi was unjust and that major international bodies such as G7, G20, and BRICS did not condemn Pakistan. He blamed administrative incompetence and intelligence failure for the attack.

Other MPs Demand Accountability

IUML’s E.T. Mohammed Basheer questioned how terrorists managed to reach a tourist spot, citing it as a clear security lapse.

Independent MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid said the Pahalgam attack was a blot on humanity and criticized the government’s portrayal of normalcy in Kashmir.

SAD’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal demanded responsibility be fixed and questioned: “If we can play cricket with Pakistan, why can’t Diljit Dosanjh’s movie be released in India?”

SP’s Dimple Yadav questioned claims of normalcy in Kashmir, asking, “If the government claims there is normalcy, then why did this incident happen?” She held the government fully responsible, demanding accountability.

Absence of Prime Minister Sparks Outrage

Prime Minister Modi’s absence during the July 28 Lok Sabha debate further angered the opposition. Members questioned how the attackers were still at large after 100 days and criticized the lack of transparency.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, “This government has not been able to catch these five terrorists… you are not able to catch them even after 100 days.” He criticized Modi for visiting poll-bound Bihar instead of Pahalgam post-attack.

NCP (SP)’s Supriya Sule stated Operation Sindoor remained incomplete until the attackers were caught. SP’s Ramashankar Rajbhar said the nation needed “Operation Tandoor,” not “Operation Sindoor,” and mocked Trump’s mediation claims.

Foreign Policy and Ceasefire Controversy

TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee criticized Modi’s silence on Trump’s claim: “You cannot show your courage to that President.” AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi questioned whether foreign policy was effective if Trump announced the ceasefire.

He asked, “Will a white man sitting in the White House announce a ceasefire on behalf of India?”

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Arvind Sawant questioned why India accepted an unconditional ceasefire if Pakistan had requested it. He also noted that no country backed India during the conflict despite Modi’s alignment with Israel.

Government Denies Trump’s Role

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the ceasefire was not accepted under any pressure and that India had already achieved its military and political goals.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified that there was no communication between Trump and Modi and dismissed Trump’s mediation claims.

Home Minister Amit Shah backed Jaishankar, accusing the opposition of believing a foreign leader over the Indian government.

Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his claims in Scotland, saying, “India would be fighting Pakistan” if not for his intervention.

Yadav demanded the defence budget be raised from 1.9% to 3% of GDP.