Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stirs political theatre by invoking Ramayan ahead of explosive monsoon session discussion
New Delhi’s Parliament wasn’t short of drama on Monday morning. Hours before the Lok Sabha took up the highly anticipated debate on Operation Sindoor—India’s recent military strike on terror camps in Pakistan—Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju went for myth and metaphor.
“When Ravan crossed the Laxman Rekha, Lanka burned. When Pakistan crossed the red lines drawn by India, terrorist camps faced the fire,” Rijiju declared on X, formerly Twitter, firing off what may have been the boldest opening act before a military debate in recent years.
A fiery invocation just before the floor opened
The timing couldn’t have been more precise. Just under two hours before Parliament was due to debate India’s cross-border operation, Rijiju’s post electrified political circles.
It wasn’t just the words—it was the whole package.
He accompanied the Ramayan reference with a stirring one-minute video set to music by Kailash Kher. The clip, heavily stylized, opened with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s voice saying Operation Sindoor was dedicated to “every mother, sister and daughter of the country.” It ended with visuals of tricolour-clad soldiers, flashing montages of explosions, and bold Hindi text proclaiming “India’s self-respect stands tall.”
And it spread—fast.
Operation Sindoor: a quick rewind
The operation in question, Operation Sindoor, was India’s direct military response to the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this month that claimed the lives of several security personnel.
Details of the mission remain classified, but government sources have confirmed it involved precision air strikes on what were described as “launch pads and training centres” operated by terror groups inside Pakistan-occupied territory.
Rijiju’s poetic phrasing may have sparked headlines, but make no mistake—the underlying event is serious.
For BJP leaders, it’s a moment to highlight national resolve. For the Opposition? It’s a chance to scrutinize intent, legality, and strategy.
Just one line here—
And that mix is what made Monday’s debate combustible.
A loud, symbolic start to a tense session
Rijiju’s Ramayan reference wasn’t a throwaway line. It was a deliberate shot across the aisle—drawing India’s military action into the language of epic retaliation.
Inside Parliament, Opposition MPs didn’t waste a beat. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reportedly rolled his eyes when asked about the post, while Trinamool MPs called it “irresponsible mythologizing of military affairs.”
But the BJP wasn’t backing down.
A senior party leader said privately,
“The message is simple—India will not tolerate provocation. We’ve moved from surgical to spiritual metaphors now.”
And that sparked off fresh debate inside Central Hall.
The Lok Sabha showdown begins
Here’s how the first few hours of the debate unfolded:
-
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opened by reaffirming India’s right to defend its borders pre-emptively.
-
Congress leaders demanded transparency—asking for an official briefing on civilian casualties and rules of engagement.
-
AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi accused the government of “PR nationalism.”
-
BJP MPs stood up and applauded the armed forces after every speech from the treasury benches.
In short, it was loud. It was political theatre. But it was also an airing of something that India rarely does—debating real-time military action in open Parliament.
Comparing with past Indian responses to terror
To understand the significance of this moment, here’s a look at India’s last three major cross-border responses to terror attacks:
| Year | Operation Name | Trigger Event | Govt in Power | Type of Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Surgical Strikes | Uri Army Camp Attack | BJP | Covert ground ops |
| 2019 | Balakot Air Strike | Pulwama Suicide Bombing | BJP | Aerial bombing |
| 2025 | Operation Sindoor | Pahalgam Convoy Attack | BJP | Precision air raid |
Analysts say Operation Sindoor was more calibrated than Balakot, but the messaging around it has been louder, more emotionally charged.
The role of myth in modern politics
Invoking Ramayan in a military context isn’t unprecedented—but doing so inside a parliamentary context, hours before a formal debate? That’s new.
Some political scientists called it “dangerous theatrics.” Others saw it as “effective messaging.”
Shiv Visvanathan, a sociologist based in Delhi, told a local broadcaster,
What happens next in the House?
The debate on Operation Sindoor is expected to stretch across the week. Opposition MPs have demanded a closed-door briefing for a core group. The government says it’s unnecessary, citing “operational sensitivities.”
But sources say Modi might personally intervene with a statement—possibly on August 1—to “close the loop.”
Meanwhile, posters bearing slogans like “Jai Veer Jawaan” and “Operation Sindoor: Bharat Ki Shaan” have appeared outside BJP offices in several cities, including Varanasi, Bhopal, and Ahmedabad.
A single sentence again—
The mood has shifted from debate to declaration.
