In a fiery Lok Sabha debate, Congress MP Praniti Shinde ignited controversy by likening Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, to the ancient Roman Colosseum—a spectacle designed to distract the masses. Shinde accused the government of orchestrating the operation as a media-driven stunt to garner votes ahead of elections, rather than a genuine effort to bolster national security.

Speaking during the 16-hour parliamentary discussion on Operation Sindoor, the first-term MP from Solapur, Maharashtra, questioned the operation’s outcomes. “Operation Sindoor sounds patriotic, but it’s a government-made media tamasha,” she declared, a term later expunged from official records by the Lok Sabha Speaker for its inflammatory tone. “What was achieved? How many terrorists were caught? How many fighter jets were lost? Who is accountable?” Shinde demanded, alleging a lack of transparency.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeted nine terror hubs across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan, neutralizing over 100 terrorists in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. A cessation of hostilities was agreed upon by India and Pakistan on May 10. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh defended the operation’s success, stating it destroyed terror infrastructure without Indian casualties, and criticized the opposition for focusing on aircraft losses rather than national achievements.

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Shinde, however, argued that the government was evading accountability, drawing parallels to the Colosseum, where Roman leaders used gladiatorial contests to divert attention from societal issues. “Just before elections, a terror attack happens, and the government launches a retaliatory strike. They don’t know where the terrorists came from or went, but they attack a neighboring country to win votes,” she charged, suggesting the operation was timed for electoral gain.

The Congress MP expressed outrage on behalf of soldiers, claiming they learned of the ceasefire—allegedly brokered under U.S. pressure—not from Prime Minister Narendra Modi but from a foreign leader. “While victims’ funeral pyres burned in Pahalgam, the PM was addressing election rallies in Bihar,” she said, highlighting a perceived disconnect. Shinde also criticized External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s reported pre-attack warning to the enemy, questioning if it led to Indian jets being shot down.

Shinde further lamented India’s declining regional influence, attributing it to a faltering “neighbourhood first” policy. “Foreign policy is now photo ops with the diaspora,” she said, echoing concerns raised by other opposition leaders like Gaurav Gogoi, who questioned how terrorists infiltrated Pahalgam undetected.

The debate saw sharp rebuttals from the ruling NDA. BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused Congress, particularly Rahul Gandhi, of undermining national sentiment and aligning with Pakistani propaganda, dubbing him the “Leader Opposing Bharat.” He claimed Operation Sindoor destroyed 20% of Pakistan’s air force infrastructure, reinforcing it as a “new normal” under Modi’s leadership.

Opposition missteps added fuel to the fire. Samajwadi Party MP Ramashankar Rajbhar’s confusing call for an “Operation Tandoor” and Congress MP Deepender Hooda’s quip about silencing Donald Trump or ousting McDonald’s drew laughter and criticism, underscoring the opposition’s struggle to present a cohesive critique.

As the debate unfolded, it highlighted deep divisions over Operation Sindoor’s intent and impact. While the government hailed it as a decisive strike against terrorism, Shinde’s critique framed it as a political maneuver, leaving unanswered questions about accountability and strategic efficacy.

Also Read: SP MP Slams Delay in Operation Sindoor, Demands ‘Tandoor’