Uproar stalls Sachin Tendulkar's first speech at Rajya Sabha, house adjourned

Sachin's maiden innings in Rajya Sabha was foiled on Thursday as uproar over PM Narendra Modi's recent remarks on Dr. Manmohan Singh forced an adjournment of the house till Friday.

Tendulkar, in his maiden speech on the floor of the Upper House on Thursday, had moved a Short Discussion Motion on the future of sports in India and right to play. He was expected to address some long pending issues including coverage of Central Health Guarantee Scheme (CGHS) for international medal winners and incorporation of sports in school curriculum.

Sachin remained standing for 10 minutes, tight-lipped, as Opposition members raised slogans, ignoring Chairman Venkaiah Naidu's calls to come to order.

Naidu reminded them that the nation was watching the uproar they were causing in the Rajya Sabha and called on them to let Tendulkar speak. But unruly Congress MPs paid no heed to his requests. Frustrated Naidu adjourned the house till 11 am on Friday.

The master batsman, who had been nominated to the Upper House in April 2012, had been frequently criticised for his long absences. The criticism has become sharper since Sachin retired from international cricket in 2013. He became the first active sportsperson ever to be made an MP.

Though Tendulkar attended the proceedings, he was passive at best, and didn't ask any questions either.

Tendulkar and Bollywood actress Rekha have worst attendance among the nominated members to the Upper House.

Sachin attended only 23 of the 348 days since his nomination and has asked 22 questions so far.

OneIndia News