'Maun vrat': Shashi Tharoor, not on Congress's Op Sindoor discussion list, evades queries

India Today

28-07-2025

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday chose silence over clarity as he evaded questions on the upcoming Operation Sindoor discussion in the Lok Sabha, responding only with "maun vrat" repeatedly (a vow of silence) when asked by reporters whether he would participate.Tharoor's brief yet pointed reply came as he arrived at Parliament amid rising anticipation over the party's line during the discussion on Operation Sindoor. The Congress MP declined to offer any comment, simply invoking the term associated with voluntary silence, prompting speculation over his stance. advertisementAccording to Congress sources, Tharoor is unlikely to speak during the discussion. "Shashi Tharoor unlikely to speak on Operation Sindoor. The MPs, who want to speak on certain issues, have to send their requests to the CPP office, however, Shashi Tharoor hasn't done so far," a party insider said.
According to the list of speakers provided by the Congress, Gaurav Gogoi is going to open the discussion in Parliament today, followed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Deepender Hooda, Praniti S Shinde, Saptagiri Ulaka and Bijendra S Ojha. Additionally, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to speak in the discussion tomorrow.Tharoor's potential absence from the discussion comes against the backdrop of his uneasy relationship with the party leadership in recent months.The Thiruvananthapuram MP had earlier led a government-formed delegation abroad to speak on the India-Pakistan conflict, a move seen as going against the Congress line. His public support for the government's stance and the subsequent pause in hostilities had triggered friction with colleagues critical of the government's position.The Opposition on July 25 agreed to a 16-hour discussion in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The discussion will focus on the government's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians and injured several others.Rahul Gandhi and several other Opposition leaders have criticised the government for alleged intelligence failures and questioned US President Donald Trump's claims of mediating between India and Pakistan, which the government has denied.- EndsTune InMust Watch