'Extremely unfortunate': Rajnath Singh slams Oppn over ruckus in Parliament during discussion on Shubhanshu Shukla

The Defence Minister said subjects like space must be "kept above partisan politics" and that the Opposition could have participated in the discussion and provided constructive suggestions for India's space programme.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday morning said Parliament will honour Shukla by holding a special discussion on his space journey and sought the Opposition's cooperation.

He urged them to set political differences aside and celebrate a national hero.

However, when the House met, Opposition MPs started protesting and raising slogans against the Election Commission, disrupting the proceedings and compelling the Chair to adjourn for the day.

"Today, during a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on the journey of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force and ISRO mission pilot to the International Space Station (ISS) and his subsequent return, the manner in which the opposition created a ruckus in the House and did not allow it to function is extremely unfortunate," the Defence Minister said on X.

"This discussion was on the topic "India's Space Program and Its Role in Viksit Bharat 2047," which is related to national achievement, the country's pride, self-respect, and the prospects of scientific and national security in the future. The way the opposition obstructed it, their behaviour today was extremely disappointing. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, the unprecedented heights India is reaching in space exploration are remarkable. The opposition could have participated in the discussion and provided constructive review, criticism, and suggestions for India's space program," he added.

"Topics like space, which are extremely important for India's scientific and strategic vision in the 21st century, should at least be kept above partisan politics," Singh said.

Amid the Opposition's protest, Union Minister for Space and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh appealed to them to encourage scientists and astronauts.

"You may have disagreements with the government or the BJP, but this is about an astronaut and Air Force officer who has made the nation proud. At least show encouragement to our scientists and astronauts," he said, but the protests continued.

"The opposition has failed to congratulate the space experts and scientists for our space achievements. Your anger can be with the government. Your anger can be with the BJP and the NDA. But it is surprising that you can be angry with an astronaut. And that astronaut who, apart from being an astronaut, is also a disciplined soldier of the Indian Air Force. He does not belong to any political party," Jitendra Singh said in Parliament, amid sloganeering by the Opposition MPs.

Shubhanshu Shukla returned to India on Sunday following his historic visit to the International Space Station (ISS).

Shukla and his fellow crew members returned to Earth after a 22-hour journey since they undocked from the ISS on July 15.

Axiom 4 or Mission 'Akash Ganga' is the first firm step for India's Gaganyaan human space flight mission.

During the 18-day mission, Mr Shukla, along with astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), conducted more than 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions aboard the ISS.