Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, voiced his criticism of opposition parties on Monday, expressing surprise at their lack of recognition for India’s accomplishments in the space sector. He highlighted the nation’s capabilities demonstrated during Operation Sindoor through successful offensive strikes. Singh initiated a special discussion in Parliament regarding the return of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from the International Space Station (ISS). He claimed the opposition was directing their aggression towards the BJP and NDA at an astronaut unaffiliated with any political party. Opposition MPs responded with protests and sloganeering. Singh stated the opposition failed to commend space experts and scientists for their achievements, suggesting their anger should be directed towards the government, the BJP, and the NDA instead of an astronaut who is a disciplined soldier of the Indian Air Force. He added that their discontent seemed to extend to space itself. Singh also praised the role of space technology in Operation Sindoor, facilitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He mentioned that a new chapter in the space sector began in 2014, when PM Modi took office. Singh attributed the progress to the Modi government, questioning why the Department of Space remained isolated for several decades. He indicated that the underlying issue was not a lack of talent or willingness to work, but a deficiency in harmonious policies, a problem resolved with the NDA’s rise to power. Earlier, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the ISS, emphasizing its significance for India’s human spaceflight ambitions. Shukla returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA’s Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, becoming the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space.
