Defence Minister Faces Grilling on Sudden Ceasefire Decision
A heated debate unfolded in India’s lower house of parliament on Monday during a special session when opposition leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the Modi-led government over the abrupt halt of Operation Sindoor.
During the session, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian Armed Forces had been given complete freedom to choose their targets and respond firmly. He claimed that on the morning of May 10, the Indian Air Force had carried out successful strikes on multiple Pakistani airbases.
Singh further said that following the airstrikes, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart and urged a halt to the operation, reportedly saying, “Maharaj, it’s enough now.” Singh explained that India agreed to the request, leading to a ceasefire.
However, Gandhi interrupted the minister’s speech, asking why the operation was stopped if Pakistan was ready to retreat. His intervention sparked commotion among the ruling party members.
In response, Singh reiterated that the government had made it clear to Pakistan that India’s intention was only to eliminate terror infrastructure, not to escalate conflict. The Indian DGMO had communicated this as well.
Following the exchange, Congress leaders argued that India should have continued the operation. Party deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi demanded to know why a ceasefire was declared if Pakistan was on the back foot. He also questioned whether foreign influence, including statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump, played a role.
