The Congress on Thursday obstructed the maiden speech of cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in the Rajya Sabha, where he is a nominated member. He was nominated to the House by the UPA government in April, 2012.
Mr. Tendulkar was to have initiated a short-duration discussion on the right to play and the future of sports in India. But the protests in Rajya Sabha forced Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu to adjourn the House for the day. When the Rajya Sabha reconvened at 2 p.m., Congress members raised slogans over the 2G case judgement. Amid the ruckus, Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal raised a point of order.
Maiden speech
After the point of order, Mr. Naidu sought to initiate the discussion on sports, saying this was Mr. Tendulkar’s maiden speech and he should be heard. But the Congress members were on their feet and shouted Desh ko gumrah karna band karo (stop misleading the nation). Mr. Naidu admonished the members, saying Mr. Tendulkar had done a lot for the country and was the recipient of the Bharat Ratna.
Sources said that both the ruling side and a section of the Opposition, including the Trinamool Congress, told Congress members that they could continue their protest after Mr. Tendulkar was through with his speech. But the plea went unheeded. Mr. Tendulkar tried to speak a few times, but his voice was drowned in the din. SP member Jaya Bachchan, too, pleaded for Mr. Tendulkar.
Mr. Naidu then adjourned the proceedings for the day, saying he did not want the country to see an acclaimed cricketer and Bharat Ratna awardee was prevented from speaking.
