Parliamentophobia: Derek O'Brien says government dodging Op Sindoor debate

After the dates for the Monsoon Session of Parliament were announced, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien on Wednesday claimed that the Narendra Modi government is suffering from "Parliamentophobia."In an apparent dig at the Centre, O'Brien was referring to the Opposition's repeated calls to hold a joint session of both houses to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.advertisementAs the Centre overlooked repeated calls from the Opposition to convene a joint sitting of both Houses, O'Brien took to X and wrote, "Parliamentophobia (noun). My word for the acute condition of a (Modi) government who have a morbid fear of facing Parliament. Running away from a Special Session."
A few days back, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge also reiterated the Opposition's demand for a joint parliamentary session over Operation Sindoor and wrote on X: "We, the leaders of INDIA, reiterate our collective and urgent request to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the developments following the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025."Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju today announced that the Monsoon Session will be held between July 21 and August 12.Amid the growing clamour for holding a joint parliamentary session in the wake of India's Operation Sindoor, Rijiju said, "Every session is a special session for us." He further stated that "all important matters" will be discussed in the upcoming Monsoon Session.Earlier, sources revealed to India Today TV that the Centre is willing to take up discussions on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack, provided the debates are held in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Parliament.Must Watch

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

43 minutes ago

• Hans India

Modi focuses on serving people

Hyderabad: Union Minister and State BJP chief G Kishan Reddy has emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes public representatives should be accessible to people and work to address their issues. He was speaking at the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalpa Sabha,' which celebrated 11 years of the Modi government and the first year of Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajender's term. He highlighted the significant developments achieved under Modi's leadership. Reddy pointed out that the BJP had been in power for 11 years, delivering transparent governance. He contrasted this with the corruption scandals that plagued the previous Congress-led UPA regime, noting the absence of such scandals during Modi's tenure, which showcases the administration's integrity. The Union Minister recounted how Modi's leadership had strengthened India's response to terrorism, citing the surgical strikes as a significant shift in policy. "For Telangana, substantial funds have been allocated for infrastructure projects, including the construction of national highways and the modernization of railway stations," he said, highlighting the progress made under Modi compared to that in the previous Congress government. Kishan Reddy pointed out that Telangana had struggled with debt and corruption, particularly under the Bharat Rashtra Samithi party, which had failed to serve its citizens effectively. He expressed his confidence that BJP would win the next Legislative Assembly elections in the state. BJP MP and OBC Morcha National president Dr K. Laxman outlined how the Congress had consistently let down Backward Classes (BCs) from the time of the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, pointing out the flaws in the caste survey conducted by the Telangana government, which he argued deprived BCs of their due rights. Eatala Rajender said that the exhibition organized to mark the occasion showcased the achievements from Shyama Prasad Mukherjee to Modi. Recalling his interaction with the Prime Minister earlier in his role as the State Finance Minister regarding the rollout of the GST, he stated, "Modi focuses on serving the people rather than simply seeking power." He highlighted Modi's demonstration of the country's strength through 'Operation Sindoor'. In contrast, he pointed out that the Congress party was mired in scandals, with some of their own ministers facing jail time due to mismanagement. He noted that the state of Telangana was born out of sacrifices, but Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had disrespected its people. Modi's leadership exemplified how a country could thrive, with India excelling in digital transactions. "While some create sensationalism with words, it is actions that matter, which reflects Modi's approach. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sacrificed his life for our unity, and Modi has fulfilled his vision."

Indian Express

an hour ago

• Indian Express

Evidence, not politics, must shape the story from Keezhadi

What was once a quiet village on the banks of the river Vaigai in Tamil Nadu is today emerging as one of the most significant archaeological sites in India. Excavations at Keezhadi (or Keeladi) have revealed the existence of an advanced urban settlement, possibly going back as far as the 8th to the 5th century BCE. The findings — which include evidence of trade, such as carnelian beads, and literacy, in the form of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions on potsherds — paint a compelling picture of a flourishing civilisation in South India dating back much further than previously believed. The discoveries at Keezhadi are significant not only for Tamil Nadu, but for all of India, as they challenge long-standing historical narratives and offer proof that urbanisation may have developed parallelly in different regions of the Subcontinent. Yet, the thrill of the discovery has been marred by an unseemly politicking. Allegations of administrative interference and accusations of downplaying the excavation's findings threaten to undermine the credibility of the process. The DMK-led state government, which sees the Keezhadi findings as key to its 'Dravidian pride' politics, arguing for a Tamil civilisation that is as old as the Indus Valley Civilisation, has accused the Union government of attempting to 'sabotage' the excavations to suit its own ideology. The Centre, in turn, has alleged attempts to play up regional pride at the cost of scientific study; earlier this month, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat raised questions over the 989-page 'final' report submitted in 2023 by archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, who had led the Keezhadi dig, saying that it was not 'technically well-supported and established yet'. The latest trading of accusations comes after Ramakrishna's transfer following his refusal to revise his report when the ASI, in May this year, sought fresh justification for the dating of the findings. The Tamil Nadu government has hit out at the Centre over the transfer, with Chief Minister MK Stalin describing it as yet another 'hurdle' placed before the 'Tamil race'. Whether or not it shows evidence of a civilisation that is as old as the one unearthed at the Indus Valley sites, Keezhadi can help uncover much more about India's complex and deeply interconnected past. Politics cannot be allowed to distort what is one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries of recent times — evidence alone must shape the narrative. It is vital that the site is not reduced to an ideological battleground. Given its potential to transform the current understanding of Indian history, what Keezhadi calls for is rigorous and transparent research, free from ideological pressures.

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

Trade deal hits hurdle over US demand of low duties on agricultural , genetically modified food

NEW DELHI: The proposed trade deal with the US is has run into rough weather with Indian authorities resisting the insistence of their counterparts to allow lower-duty import of American agricultural products such as maize and soybean, fearing adverse impact on farmers and health concerns related to genetically modified food. Sources acknowledged that the talks have hit a hurdle. In the absence of a limited deal ahead of the July 9 deadline, domestic industry will have to brace for a 26% levy, especially with a view within the govt that what the Trump administration is offering in the form of a 10% baseline tariff, applicable to all countries, is not good enough. At the start of the negotiations, the govt was hoping to get zero duty access for several products of India's interests, including textiles, leather goods, pharmaceuticals as well as some engineering goods and auto parts. American negotiators, who are keen that the deal be finalised, have indicated to their Indian counterparts that the Trump administration cannot go down to zero tariffs immediately. In any case, India has sought immunity from future tariff actions once a deal is in place. Unhappiness in India over US President Donald Trump's claim - since rejected by PM Narendra Modi - of having brokered the pause in Operation Sindoor, has also not helped in creating a conducive atmosphere for resolution of trade-related issues.