Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary on Monday strongly asserted that India no longer responds to terror attacks with symbolic gestures like candlelight marches, but with decisive and forceful action. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Operation Sindoor, Choudhary declared that this is a new India that burns the pyres of its enemies rather than lighting candles in the aftermath of terrorist attacks.
She emphasised that while India follows the peaceful paths shown by saints like Gautam Buddha and Mahavir, the country does not hesitate to take strong action when its national interest is at stake. Drawing from cultural symbolism, she stated that this India knows when to wield the bow of Lord Ram and the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Krishna in defence of its people and sovereignty.
Choudhary also took aim at certain political voices within the country, criticising them for showing more empathy toward international conflicts than to incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack. She remarked that there are people who feel more sorrow for Palestine than for Pahalgam, suggesting that such selective outrage is politically motivated.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, participating in the same debate, said that Operation Sindoor marks a significant shift in India’s approach to cross-border terrorism, signalling a new face and a new normal in the country’s security doctrine. He firmly rejected any claims of third-party mediation in the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.
Responding to allegations from the opposition, Jaishankar categorically denied that there was any conversation linking trade with conflict resolution in discussions with the United States. He clarified that there were no calls between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump between April 22 and June 17.
Jaishankar informed the House that on May 9, US Vice President JD Vance had called Prime Minister Modi to warn of an imminent large-scale attack by Pakistan. The Prime Minister had responded by stating that any such attack would be met with an appropriate and firm reply from India.
According to Jaishankar, that attack did indeed take place and was successfully foiled by Indian Armed Forces on May 9 and 10. He said the Prime Minister’s promised response was delivered with devastating effect. Jaishankar pointed to satellite images of Pakistani airfields as evidence of India’s retaliation, noting that the damaged condition of those airfields clearly revealed the nature of the response.
He also noted that among the 193 countries in the United Nations, only three nations apart from Pakistan opposed Operation Sindoor, underlining the broad international support India received. He concluded by stating that India had successfully brought to global attention Pakistan’s long-standing use of cross-border terrorism.
Jaishankar gave point-by-point rebuttals to issues raised by the Opposition and urged the House to collectively acknowledge the role played by Indian Armed Forces in foiling the attack and executing a decisive counter-strike.
