Kharge, Rahul urges PM Modi for special Parliament session after Opposition question Trump's role in ceasefire
New Delhi, May 11, 2025 (ANI) — In the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian armed forces' retaliatory Operation Sindoor, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi have formally urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of Parliament.
Their demand follows rising political pressure to publicly address national security, cross-border terrorism, and the controversial role played by former U.S. President Donald Trump in the recently announced ceasefire.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh confirmed the move via X, stating, “LoP Lok Sabha and LoP Rajya Sabha have just written to the PM requesting for a special session of Parliament to be convened immediately.”
In his letter, Kharge emphasized that Parliament must urgently deliberate on "the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire announcements—first from Washington D.C. and then echoed by the Governments of India and Pakistan."
He reiterated that these events represent a critical moment for India’s national security and diplomacy.
Rahul Gandhi, echoing Kharge’s sentiments, criticized the government's silence and stressed the need for Parliament to present a "united front" in the face of external threats.
“It is crucial for the people and their representatives to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and today's ceasefire, first announced by U.S. President Trump,” Gandhi wrote. “This is an opportunity to demonstrate our collective resolve.”
Context: Operation Sindoor and Trump’s Involvement
The calls for accountability come after the Indian military’s Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, which targeted nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 tourists dead.
Surprisingly, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed credit for brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in a post that caught both governments off guard.
While the Indian government has publicly downplayed Trump’s involvement, insisting the ceasefire was the result of direct communication between the DGMOs (Directors General of Military Operations) of both countries, the optics have added a diplomatic wrinkle.
Jaishankar: India Will Remain Uncompromising on Terror
In an official statement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that India and Pakistan had reached an understanding to halt firing and military action. “India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so,” he said.
Opposition parties, however, argue that the ceasefire’s timing and Trump’s public involvement warrant full parliamentary scrutiny—both to protect national interests and clarify the government’s position on foreign mediation.