The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to begin on Monday, marking the first sitting since Operation Sindoor, India’s precision airstrikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address both Houses before proceedings officially commence.
The session, running from July 21 to August 21, will include 21 sittings over 32 days. Both Houses will be adjourned from August 12 to August 17 for Independence Day celebrations and reconvene on August 18.
This session is set against a tense political backdrop, with the Opposition demanding answers on several key national issues. Chief among them is Operation Sindoor, launched following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. The Opposition is pressing for a detailed statement from the Prime Minister and clarity on the operation’s strategic objectives and aftermath. Additionally, it has called on the government to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating peace between India and Pakistan — a claim New Delhi has consistently denied.
Another issue expected to dominate the debate is the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition parties have raised concerns over the timing and transparency of the exercise, alleging that it is a politically motivated move to influence the upcoming state elections. The government has denied these allegations, stating that the revision is part of routine electoral procedures.
Despite these contentious matters, the government is prepared to push ahead with an ambitious legislative agenda. Several key bills are slated for introduction, including legislation on GST reforms, amendments to taxation laws, public trust regulation, sports governance, ports and minerals management, and the preservation of geo-heritage sites. A parliamentary panel report on the proposed Income Tax Bill, 2025, is also scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha, signaling a possible overhaul of the country’s tax framework.
Adding to the already weighty agenda, Parliament is also expected to take up a proposal concerning the removal of a judge, further heightening political sensitivities during the session.
In a high-level all-party meeting held on Sunday, chaired by Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, 54 leaders from 40 political parties discussed the agenda and key concerns for the session. Rijiju reiterated the government’s commitment to discussing all issues of national importance, including Operation Sindoor, within the rules and conventions of Parliament.
“We are very open to a discussion on important issues like Operation Sindoor. These are issues of great national importance. The government is not shying away and will never shy away, but is open to discussions within rules and conventions,” said Rijiju.
(With agencies inputs)