Gaurav Gogoi Tears Into Govt Over Op Sindoor Failures

Rajnath Singh ji gave a lot of information, but as Defence Minister, he never mentioned how terrorists from Pakistan reached Pahalgam and killed 26 people Gaurav Gogoi, Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition

In what considered to be one of the best speeches in the Parliament in the recent past, Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Gaurav Gogoi, delivered a scathing critique of the BJP-led government’s handling of Operation Sindoor and the preceding Pahalgam terror attack. His speech, part of a 16-hour marathon debate on the military operation, not only electrified the House but also sent shockwaves through political circles, exposing critical security failures and raising uncomfortable questions about the government’s national security strategy.

The debate, centered on India’s retaliatory military operation following the devastating April 22, terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 civilian lives, was a long-overdue reckoning. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeted nine terrorist infrastructures across the Line of Control (LoC) and within Jammu and Kashmir, symbolizing India’s resolve to combat cross-border terrorism. Yet, Gogoi’s speech laid bare the chinks in the government’s armor, accusing it of arrogance, evasion, and a failure to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam tragedy.

“Rajnath Singh ji gave a lot of information, but as Defence Minister, he never mentioned how terrorists from Pakistan reached Pahalgam and killed 26 people,” Gogoi thundered, pointing to a glaring security lapse that allowed terrorists to infiltrate Baisaran Valley and carry out one of the deadliest attacks in two decades. “It has been 100 days since the Pahalgam attack, and this government has not been able to catch those five terrorists,” he added, highlighting the failure of advanced surveillance tools like drones, Pegasus, and satellites, as well as the presence of CRPF, BSF, and CISF in the region.

Gogoi’s speech was not just a critique of operational failures but a broader indictment of the government’s approach to national security. He accused the Centre of shirking responsibility by blaming local authorities and tour operators for the attack. “This government is so weak, so cowardly, that they blamed the tour operators for taking people to Baisaran without permission or a license. Is this your answer to terrorism?” he questioned, his voice dripping with incredulity. The Congress MP’s pointed remarks struck a chord, with Opposition benches erupting in support, while the ruling BJP-led NDA appeared visibly rattled.

The Jorhat MP didn’t stop there. He took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence from Pahalgam in the aftermath of the attack, contrasting it with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the site. “After returning from Saudi Arabia, PM Modi chose to give an election speech in Bihar. It was Rahul Gandhi who went to Pahalgam,” Gogoi said, accusing the Prime Minister of prioritizing electoral optics over national mourning. This comparison underscored what Gogoi described as the government’s “misplaced priorities” during a national crisis.

Perhaps the most explosive moment of Gogoi’s speech came when he questioned the abrupt ceasefire announced on May 10, following Operation Sindoor. He challenged the government’s silence on claims by US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly boasted—26 times, by Gogoi’s count—that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “The entire country, including the Opposition, stood by PM Modi. Suddenly, we got to know there was a ceasefire. Why? If Pakistan was ready to kneel down, why did you stop, and to whom did you surrender?” Gogoi demanded, raising concerns about whether India had bowed to external pressure. His pointed question about the number of Indian fighter jets downed during the operation further intensified the scrutiny, with Gogoi insisting that the truth be shared not just with the public but with the armed forces, who he claimed were being misled.

Gogoi’s bold rhetoric also took aim at the government’s long-term strategy on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Responding to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s assertion that Operation Sindoor was not intended to wage war, Gogoi shot back, “The Defence Minister said our motive was not to have a war. Why wasn’t that the motive? 

When will we take PoK back?” This question, met with thunderous applause from Opposition MPs, underscored the Congress leader’s call for a more assertive stance against Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism.

The speech was not without its political undertones. Gogoi’s reference to the government’s “arrogance” and its belief that “no one can question them, no matter how big the lapse” was a direct challenge to the BJP’s narrative of invincibility on national security. He also highlighted the emotional toll of the Pahalgam attack, painting a vivid picture of a mother and daughter mistaking an Indian soldier for a terrorist due to the trauma of the attack. “It took nearly an hour for an ambulance to reach Baisaran. The army came on foot,” he said, exposing logistical failures that compounded the tragedy.

Social media erupted in praise for Gogoi’s speech, with posts on X calling it a masterclass in holding the government accountable. “Gaurav Gogoi silences Defence Minister on the Operation Sindoor debate session in Parliament ,” wrote one user, while another hailed him as a leader who “speaks with courage and clarity.”

As the debate continues, Gogoi’s speech has set the tone for a contentious session, with the Opposition poised to press the government on transparency, accountability, and a coherent strategy to combat terrorism. His call for answers on security lapses, the ceasefire, and PoK has resonated with a nation still reeling from the Pahalgam attack. For now, Gogoi’s words have not only challenged the government but also cemented his reputation as a formidable voice in Indian politics, unafraid to ask the questions that matter most.