Parliament Session: Opposition for Debate on Bihar, Pahalgam, Trump's Claims; Govt Says 'Open to Discussion'

PTI, NEW DELHI, JULY 20, 2025 : The month-long Monsoon Session of Parliament, beginning Monday, is likely to be stormy, with opposition parties adamant on discussions on various issues, including Operation Sindoor. The session, commencing on July 21, will continue until August 21, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha holding 21 sittings each.

At a customary session-eve all-party meeting here, the government sought the cooperation of all parties, especially the opposition, to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament. Floor leaders of different political parties representing the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha attended the meeting. Union Minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha Jagat Prakash Nadda chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal and Dr. L Murugan. Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Pramod Tiwari, NCP's Supriya Sule, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, DMK's T R Baalu, and AAP's Sanjay Singh also participated.

Briefing reporters, Rijiju said that the meeting was constructive and that floor leaders presented their party positions and the issues they wanted to raise during the session. He emphasized that the government has requested the opposition to ensure the proper functioning of both Houses, stating that both the ruling side and the opposition should work together with good coordination. Rijiju also said that the government is open to discussing important issues like Operation Sindoor.

On the Opposition’s intent to bring up US President Donald Trump’s remarks on mediation between India and Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor, the Minister said the government would respond appropriately on the matter on the floor of the House. In response to a media query on the Justice Yashwant Varma impeachment matter, Rijiju stated that the process would be undertaken together by all parties as it is not solely the Government’s move. Justice Varma is embroiled in a row following the discovery of burnt wads of currency notes at his residence after a fire incident. The motion for his removal has already garnered significant backing from lawmakers, Rijiju added, noting that the number of signatures for the motion to remove Justice Varma has already crossed 100.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi demanded Prime Minister Modi’s statement on the floor of the House regarding Trump’s claims, the Pahalgam terror attack, and Special Intensive Revision in Bihar. N K Premachandran of the RSP stated that the demand from the entire opposition today was for a full-fledged discussion on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor, and Donald Trump’s statement regarding the ceasefire. BJD leader Sasmit Patra said his party would raise concerns about law and order issues and atrocities against women in Odisha during the session.

During the session, important legislations, including the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2025, the National Sports Governance Bill 2025, and the Merchant Shipping Bill 2024, are expected to be discussed and passed. Meanwhile, the report of the parliamentary committee set up to scrutinize the new Income Tax Bill 2025, which would replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act, is scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday, the opening day of the session.