Opposition’s Ruckus Derails Lok Sabha’s Historic Space Discussion: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sharply criticized the Opposition for disrupting a Lok Sabha discussion on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s landmark mission to the International Space Station (ISS), calling their actions “deeply disappointing” and a missed opportunity to unite for national pride. The session, intended to celebrate India’s space achievements and their role in achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, was adjourned amid chaos, leaving the debate inconclusive.

The uproar stemmed from the Opposition’s protests over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, which they allege is a tactic to manipulate voter lists ahead of state polls. The protests, marked by sloganeering and disruptions, prevented meaningful dialogue on Shukla’s historic journey as the second Indian astronaut to reach space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force officer, returned on July 15, 2025, after a 20-day mission, including 18 days aboard the ISS, as part of the Axiom-4 mission supported by ISRO and NASA.

Singh took to X, expressing frustration: “It was very unfortunate the way the Opposition created a ruckus in the House and did not allow it to function.” He emphasized that the discussion, themed around “India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS – Critical role of the space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047,” was a matter of national pride, tied to India’s scientific and strategic ambitions. He urged the Opposition to rise above partisan politics, noting that India’s space sector, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, is achieving unprecedented milestones.

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Union Minister Jitendra Singh, initiating the discussion amidst the protests, highlighted India’s space ambitions, stating that an Indian astronaut is expected to land on the moon by 2040, heralding a new era for ‘Viksit Bharat.’ He criticized the Opposition for failing to acknowledge India’s space experts, saying, “You seem to be angry with space as well.” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also appealed for bipartisan support, calling Shukla a “hero astronaut,” but the Opposition’s boycott persisted.

The Monsoon Session has been marred by repeated disruptions, with little legislative progress except for a two-day debate on Operation Sindoor. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, while confirming the Opposition’s boycott, praised Shukla’s mission on X, noting its significance for ISRO’s Gaganyaan program and India’s global space diplomacy. The adjournments reflect ongoing tensions, with the Opposition prioritizing electoral grievances over discussions of national achievements, leaving critical issues like India’s space program sidelined.

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