“Debating Op Sindoor Was a Mistake, Says Modi on Opposition’s Move”.

PM Modi’s “Shot Itself in the Foot” Jibe

At an NDA parliamentary party meeting on August 5, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharply criticized the opposition for demanding a Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor. He described it as a strategic miscalculation that backfired by embarrassing them in Parliament:

• “Where else will you find an Opposition that hits its own foot with a stone?” he reportedly said.
• He added that by insisting on such a debate, the Opposition “ended up shooting itself in the foot” and had been “thrashed badly.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked the opposition by saying it “shot itself in the foot” during the parliamentary debate over Operation Sindoor, a military response to a terror attack in Pahalgam. He claimed the opposition’s insistence on the debate backfired, exposing their lack of strategy and weakening their credibility. The opposition, meanwhile, raised concerns over the operation’s execution, questioning the government on civilian casualties, lost fighter jets, and the sudden ceasefire.

They demanded Modi respond directly in both Houses of Parliament, walking out when he didn’t appear in the Rajya Sabha. The government defended the operation as a strong and necessary move, while the opposition accused it of prioritizing optics over national interest.

Modi believes the Opposition was “badly thrashed” and “harmed itself” during the parliamentary debate surrounding the operation. Sources indicate he also suggested the Opposition was intent on “self-harm” by insisting on the debate.

Operation: Sindoor Debate

Background

• Operation Sindoor was launched in May 2025 in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 civilians. It targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Parliamentary Tensions

• The opposition pressed for transparency: questioning civilian and asset losses (including fighter jets, acknowledged later by the Chief of Defence Staff), and doubts over the rapid ceasefire. Some MPs even called the operation a “tamasha” in Parliament—a remark later expunged from records.
• Opposition MPs demanded that PM Modi personally respond in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; his absence in the Upper House triggered a walkout.

Government’s Counter

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defended the government, accusing the opposition of undermining India’s strategic posture and rebuffing misplaced comparisons to China or old Congress-era failures.
• BJP-aligned leaders, including Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, supported Modi’s rhetoric, attacking the opposition’s commitment to national unity and defense.
• However, leaders like Kamal Nath called Modi’s remarks “off the mark,” criticizing him for overemphasizing Nehru and diverting public attention from pressing issues in MP.

Opposition’s Position

• Rahul Gandhi accused the government of political optics over strategy—tying India’s hands during the mission, launching the operation more for Modi’s image than national security—and pointed to evidence of jet losses and possible U.S. pressure for an early ceasefire.

Strategic Takeaways