New Delhi, July 28, 2025 — The Indian Parliament witnessed high drama today as the ruling NDA government and the Opposition locked horns over Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. While the Lok Sabha prepared for a marathon 16-hour debate, one conspicuous absence from the Congress speakers’ list raised eyebrows — Shashi Tharoor, the party’s internationally respected voice, was nowhere to be seen.
🔥 Congress vs Government: The Battle Intensifies
Led by Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party has mounted a fierce attack on the Modi government, demanding accountability and transparency over Operation Sindoor. However, the absence of Tharoor — a seasoned diplomat and articulate parliamentarian — has sparked speculation about internal rifts within the party.
Sources suggest that Tharoor was either excluded from the speakers’ list or chose silence under pressure. His cryptic response to reporters — “Maunvrat, maunvrat” (a vow of silence) — only deepened the mystery.
🌍 Tharoor’s Global Role in Operation Sindoor
Despite the current silence, Tharoor had earlier played a key diplomatic role in defending India’s actions abroad. As part of a government delegation, he addressed global forums including the US National Press Club, where he explained the symbolism behind the operation’s name:
“Sindoor is red — not unlike blood. In many ways, it reflects the Hindi idiom: khun ka badla khun (blood for blood). Here, it’s sindoor ka badla khun,” Tharoor had said, earning praise for his nuanced articulation.
🧭 Internal Discord: Is Congress Undermining Its Own?
The Congress speakers’ list includes Gaurav Gogoi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Deepender Hooda, Praniti Shinde, Saptagiri Ulaka, and Brijendra Ola — but Tharoor’s name is missing. Some insiders believe his support for the government’s stance on Operation Sindoor may have led to his exclusion, with critics within the party branding him a “BJP sympathizer”.
This isn’t the first time Congress has faced criticism for sidelining intellectual voices. The situation echoes the 2004 episode when Pranab Mukherjee, despite being a frontrunner for Prime Minister, was overlooked in favor of Manmohan Singh, reportedly for being too outspoken.
🧠 A Party at Crossroads?
The Gandhi family’s leadership is now under scrutiny for allegedly failing to recognize and retain its most capable minds. With rumors swirling about Tharoor’s potential shift to the BJP, questions loom over Congress’s ability to balance loyalty with merit.
🗣️ What’s Next?
As Parliament continues its fiery debate, the absence of Tharoor — a man who once eloquently defended India on the global stage — serves as a stark reminder of the fragile fault lines within Indian politics. Whether this silence is strategic or symptomatic of deeper divides remains to be seen.