Operation Sindoor should be discussed in Parliament

Moments of national crisis often unify a country, prompting collective grief, introspection, and institutional learning. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India stood at such a juncture.

- Pawan Khera isa senior Congress leader. The views expressed are personal.

While the courage and professionalism of our armed forces are beyond question and deserve the nation’s deepest gratitude, the conduct of our political leadership has raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and responsibility in matters of national security. It is now confirmed that India lost fighter aircraft during Operation Sindoor. However, this critical information was not disclosed by the political leadership. There was no formal statement in Parliament either: Instead, the information emerged through veiled references and fragmented admissions.

On May 6-7, Air Marshal AK Bharti, director general air operations, made the first indirect acknowledgment. “We are in a combat situation and losses are a part of combat,” he said. On May 31, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan confirmed the loss of aircraft at the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, adding that it was not as important to ask how many jets fell, but why they did.

That “why” matters deeply, especially given what reportedly went down. Several accounts suggest that India has lost an undisclosed number of Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor. Now, with the crown-jewels of IAF reportedly downed in combat, the silence from the political leadership is a matter of concern.