Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), May 20 : Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Tuesday called for a special session of Parliament to address what he described as a serious security lapse during the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, which left 26 civilians dead. His demand comes amid the government’s ongoing Operation Sindoor, a military response that led to a cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.
While voicing unconditional support for the Indian military’s actions, Chidambaram stressed the importance of transparency and parliamentary oversight. “We understand not all facts can be shared immediately due to national security. But the government must convene a short parliamentary session to brief the nation through the House on events following Pahalgam,” he told ANI.
He emphasized that asking difficult questions is fundamental in a democracy: “Some legitimate questions will be raised. While some answers may remain confidential, the government must make a statement in Parliament. A two-day session, where the Prime Minister and Defence Minister take the House into confidence, is essential.”
The Congress party has been increasingly vocal about its concerns. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh recently accused the Modi government of an “opportunistic” foreign policy shift, criticizing the move to send all-party delegations abroad following the operation. He argued that such outreach contradicts the BJP’s “poisonous politics at home,” which he claims has harmed India’s global reputation.
The BJP, in turn, has escalated its attack on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who questioned the silence of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar over the loss of Indian Air Force assets during Operation Sindoor. The BJP accused Gandhi of “speaking the language of Pakistan” and undermining national interests.
The demand for a parliamentary session reflects deepening political divisions over the government’s handling of both the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military and diplomatic fallout.