'Who let terrorists reach Pahalgam?' Gogoi tears into Rajnath Singh’s defence of ‘Op Sindoor’
New Delhi, July 28: As the Parliament continued its debate on the government’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack under Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi launched a fierce attack on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accusing the Centre of sidestepping core questions about the April 22 massacre.
Gogoi said that while the government hailed the 22-minute cross-border strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, it has failed to explain how the Pahalgam attack was allowed to happen in the first place.
During the ongoing debate in the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh described Operation Sindoor as a decisive and swift military action that reflected India’s strength and moral clarity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. But Gaurav Gogoi, responding on behalf of the Opposition, turned the focus towards what he described as glaring internal failures.
Gogoi questioned why, even after 100 days since the attack, no one had been brought to justice. He alleged that while Singh presented a detailed report of the strike, he remained silent on the crucial issue, how did the terrorists manage to reach Pahalgam and launch such a deadly assault on civilians?
The Congress MP said that while India’s soldiers displayed bravery and efficiency, it was the government’s duty to ensure that such attacks do not take place on Indian soil. He reminded Parliament that families of the victims are still waiting for answers. “Our soldiers did their job, but did the government do theirs?” he asked pointedly.
Gogoi clarified that the Opposition was not questioning the military, but holding the government accountable for its failure to prevent the attack. “It is our constitutional duty to ask these questions,” he said, reiterating that the massacre was a result of a lapse in internal security, not military weakness.
The Congress leader also raised serious doubts about the extent of losses in the military operation. He questioned whether Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, had been shot down during the strike. “This government must tell the truth to the public and to our jawans. If even one Rafale jet was lost, that is a serious blow,” he added.
He also took aim at the government’s sudden ceasefire announcement after the strike. “Until May 10, everyone including the Opposition was standing firmly behind the government. But suddenly, there was a ceasefire. Why? If Pakistan was ready to surrender, why did we stop? To whom did we surrender?” Gogoi asked, citing US President’s repeated claims of having brokered the ceasefire.
“The entire country, and the Opposition, were supporting PM Modi. Suddenly, on 10th May, we got to know that there had been a ceasefire. Why? We wanted to know from PM Modi that if Pakistan was ready to kneel down, then why did you stop, and to whom did you surrender?” he said.
"They are still saying that Operation Sindoor is incomplete and Pakistan can do this again, then how is this a success? They themselves are saying our intention was not war, why was it not so? They say it was not to take territory, why was it not so? When will we take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, if not today, then when? The most horrendous terror attacks have happened under your government," Gogoi said.
Describing the ground situation during the Pahalgam attack, Gogoi said it took nearly an hour for an ambulance to reach Baisaran, where the incident took place. He noted that the army had to reach the site on foot, despite the presence of modern surveillance systems like drones, satellites, Pegasus, and multiple paramilitary forces across the region.
He also painted a painful picture of the trauma faced by civilians. Referring to an moment, he said a mother and daughter began crying when they saw an Indian soldier, mistaking him for the uniformed terrorists who had earlier opened fire. “That soldier had to assure them he was Indian, and that they were now safe. This is the level of terror the people of Pahalgam experienced. Rajnath Ji should have at least acknowledged this fear,” he said.
As the speech progressed, Gogoi held the Central government squarely responsible for the tragedy, stating that the Lieutenant Governor alone cannot take the blame. “The Union Home Minister and the Central government cannot hide behind the LG,” he said, slamming what he called the cowardice of the ruling dispensation.
He criticised the government’s response that tour operators should be blamed for taking tourists to Baisaran without permission. “Is this how a serious national security failure is being deflected? By blaming civilians?” he asked.
Gogoi ended his speech by taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The PM returned from Saudi Arabia but did not find time to visit Pahalgam. He attended a government event and addressed a political rally in Bihar. But it was our leader Rahul Gandhi who went to meet the victims,” he said.
Rajnath Singh ji gave a long speech but did not tell the people How those 5 terrorists entered Pahalgam?
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) July 28, 2025
This is one of the best speeches you will hear today from Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi 🔥
Absolutely nailed the BJP. pic.twitter.com/4ER9jDoZ4g
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
