Tendulkar gets leave amid MPs' protests

Protesting his prolonged absence as "disrespect to the House and the nation", members, cutting across party lines, said that an explanation should be sought from him.

August 11, 2014 04:17 pm | Updated December 04, 2021 11:36 pm IST - New Delhi

In this December 13, 2013 photo, Sachin Tendulkar attends the Rajya Sabha, his third and last appearance in the House since his nomination in 2012.

In this December 13, 2013 photo, Sachin Tendulkar attends the Rajya Sabha, his third and last appearance in the House since his nomination in 2012.

Sachin Tendulkar’s prolonged absence from the Rajya Sabha became a subject of discussion in the House once again on Monday as the Chair sought the permission of the House to grant him leave for the budget session.

The cricket icon had applied for leave for the entire budget session owing to “professional and personal commitments and family exigencies”.

Protesting his prolonged absence as “disrespect to the House and the nation”, members, cutting across party lines, said that an explanation should be sought from him particularly as he had come to Delhi last week to attend a programme near Parliament House but did not come to the Rajya Sabha.

The issue came up during Zero Hour when Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien sought permission of the House for grant of leave to Mr. Tendulkar who has attended the House only thrice >since his nomination in 2012. > He last came to the House on December 13, 2013 .

Mr. Kurien said the member had sent a leave application expressing inability to attend the current (232nd) session current of Rajya Sabha on account of ‘’professional and personal commitments and family exigencies”.

Raising an objection Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal said Mr. Tendulkar had come to Delhi to attend a function at Vigyan Bhavan near Parliament House but did not come to the House. “Members’ views are unanimous that he has no respect for the House,” he charged.

Supporting Mr. Agrawal, Congress member Satyavrat Chaturvedi and Naresh Gujaral (SAD) said that “a wrong precedent” was being set.

Responding to this Mr. Kurien observed that so many members remain absent for various reasons. “You cannot object. His leave application has been received. We have to take it on face value as we are not here to probe and find out the veracity of it. Every member is a respected member. Leave is granted."

At this, several members shouted  “no, no” in protest. Mr. Agrawal said while members had respect for the Chair, “grant of leave is not acceptable”.

Disallowing any discussion in the matter, Mr. Kurien said, “It is not for the Chair and members to agree... Permission to remain absent is granted.”

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