Opposition Demands Special Session of Parliament to Address Pahalgam Terror Attack, Operation Sindoor, and National Security Concerns

In a significant show of unity, a broad coalition of opposition parties in India has come together to demand a special session of Parliament in light of recent security-related developments, including the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and their wider implications on national security and foreign policy.

The move underscores growing unease within the opposition ranks over what they describe as the government’s failure to maintain transparency and parliamentary accountability on critical issues of national interest.

A joint letter, signed by senior leaders from 16 opposition parties, was submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week, specifically on Monday.

The letter formally requests the immediate convening of a special parliamentary session to deliberate on several pressing concerns that have emerged in the wake of recent terror incidents and military operations.

On Tuesday, several of the signatories also met in New Delhi to discuss further strategies aimed at pressuring the government into action and mobilizing wider public and political opinion in favour of their demand.

While the opposition leaders described the joint appeal as an initiative of the INDIA bloc—the alliance formed to challenge the ruling party—some leaders pointed out that there was no official meeting called by Congress.

President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, who also serves as the chairperson of the INDIA alliance.

These leaders cautioned that the grouping had become increasingly dormant and lacked centralized coordination, a fact reflected in the absence of a formal INDIA bloc meeting on this matter.

The letter highlights the gravity of recent national security events, specifically referencing the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, the killing of civilians in Poonch, Uri, and Rajouri, and the ceasefire announcements made subsequently.

It raises questions about how these events affect India’s national security posture, as well as the broader contours of its foreign policy strategy.

Despite expressing their support for the government’s international diplomatic outreach, which included all-party delegations visiting 33 countries over the last two weeks, the opposition parties expressed frustration over the lack of corresponding briefings in Parliament.

The letter stresses that while the government has been active in briefing foreign governments and media outlets, it has not extended the same courtesy to India’s own Parliament or elected representatives, thereby failing to keep the people of the country informed.

“The government has spoken to the world, but not to its people or their representatives,” the letter states emphatically. It urges Prime Minister Modi to immediately convene a special session of Parliament once the all-party delegations return to India,

To publicly address the developments and answer questions regarding national security and diplomatic engagements.

Among the prominent signatories of the letter are Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge,

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. In addition, senior leaders from 14 other political parties added their support, representing a wide spectrum of regional and national interests.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, elaborated on the background to the initiative.

“As early as May 10, both the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had written to the Prime Minister, calling for a special session,” he noted.

“Recent revelations by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) during his interaction in Singapore have only increased the urgency and necessity for such a session.

It would have been far more appropriate—and in keeping with democratic traditions—for the government to have shared such sensitive information first with Parliament, either through a briefing or a dedicated session, rather than revealing it in an international forum.”

Following the Tuesday meeting, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien echoed similar sentiments while addressing the media. “In a democracy, the government is accountable to Parliament, and Parliament, in turn, is accountable to the people.

That is the chain of responsibility. That’s why we are collectively demanding a special session—so that the government fulfills its democratic obligation.”

Apart from the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, other political parties that signed the joint letter include the DMK, Samajwadi Party (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), National Conference, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), and CPM-Liberation.

This collective action by the opposition underscores a growing demand for transparency and institutional dialogue on matters of national importance.

Whether or not the government responds positively to this demand remains to be seen, but the pressure from opposition ranks is likely to continue mounting in the days to come.