New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday, July 28, refused to comment on the ‘Operation Sindoor’ debate, telling reporters that he is observing a “maunvrat” or vow of silence.
As he arrived at the Parliament and was asked whether he would participate in the discussion, Tharoor dismissed the query by simply repeating, “Maunvrat, maunvrat.”
Have a look at his reaction here:
According to a report by News18, sources suggested that despite being approached by the Congress leadership to represent the party in the Lok Sabha debate on the issue, Tharoor declined the invitation to speak.
His silence has drawn attention, particularly given the speculation that the Speaker might invite him on Tuesday, July 29, to share insights from his recent diplomatic engagements abroad on India’s global counter-terrorism position.
Tharoor Unlikely to Join Debate
The Lok Sabha is set to hold a high-stakes discussion for the next sixteen hours on ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s military retaliation following the Pahalgam terror attack. The debate is expected to pit the ruling alliance against the Opposition in a charged exchange over national security, foreign policy, and government accountability.
Tharoor, often seen as a measured voice on global issues, was considered a likely speaker due to his experience in leading a multi-party delegation to various world capitals on India's anti-terrorism stance. However, party insiders revealed that he has firmly declined the request to speak.
Opposition Demands Answers
The INDIA bloc met earlier in the day to prepare a unified strategy for the debate. Among their demands is a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor.
Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed to the Opposition to avoid using language that mirrors rhetoric from Pakistan. Emphasising the need for dignity, he urged all leaders to respect the role of India’s armed forces during the debate.
Parliament has seen repeated disruptions since the Monsoon Session began on July 21, with the Opposition demanding discussions on pressing national issues, including the Election Commission’s ongoing SIR exercise in Bihar.
