Sachin fails to make his speech amid uproar
new delhi — Cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday could not make his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha amid uproar by Congress members over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh, leading to Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu blasting the opposition before adjourning the House for the day.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar also slammed the Congress for obstructing Tendulkar’s speech.
Soon after the House met at 2pm, Tendulkar rose to speak on the right to play and future of sports in India as part of a short duration discussion. But he could not speak amid noisy protests by the Congress members.
Naidu urged the Congress members to allow Tendulkar to speak as he was to give his maiden speech in the Upper House. “An honourable member, who has been awarded Bharat Ratna, wants to speak on an important issue like sports. Let him speak. All focus should be on Sachinji,” he said.
Actress Jaya Bachchan, a Samajwadi Party MP, whispered something to Tendulkar. She later told reporters that she told Tendulkar to sit down until the protests subside.
But the Congress members continued with their sloganeering.
“This does not suit you... nothing is going to happen... You don’t have sportsman spirit,” Naidu said.
Later, a Congress MP who did not wish to be named said there was no reason for them to stop their protests over the aspersions cast on the integrity of a former Prime Minister for a member who seldom comes to the House.
Ananth Kumar said the issue being raised by Tendulkar was not a political one, and all sports lovers in India had been hurt by this action. —
a great batsman who weathered many seasons, faced all spin balls and googlies, i think he was astonished or amused with this behaviour of congress party. Ananth Kumar, union minister