Parliament is poised to hold extensive 16-hour debates in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha next week, focusing on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. The decision, finalized during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meetings, comes amid opposition protests demanding immediate discussions and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence.

The Lok Sabha debate is slated to begin on July 28, with the Rajya Sabha following on July 29, provided there are no disruptions. The government agreed to the Lok Sabha discussion on July 21 and confirmed a similar plan for the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. However, opposition parties, led by Congress, have criticized the government for delaying the debate, citing Modi’s ongoing four-day foreign visit to the UK and Maldives, which began on Wednesday.

The opposition has also clashed with the government over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, causing repeated adjournments since the Monsoon Session started on July 21. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari claimed the government assured Modi’s presence during the debates, though sources indicate no firm commitment has been made.

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A senior BJP leader emphasized the debates’ national and global significance, noting that Modi might use the platform to outline the government’s stance on the terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, and India’s military response. The discussions, under Rule 184 in Lok Sabha and Rule 167 in Rajya Sabha, will allow voting, a rare move reflecting the issue’s gravity.

The BAC meetings, chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, followed Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation on July 21, which delayed proceedings. The opposition’s additional demands, including debates on Bihar’s SIR and Manipur’s situation, remain unaddressed

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