Sachin Tendulkar's debut RS speech delayed after chaos in House
What's the story
Today was to be the first time MP Sachin Tendulkar, nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2012, spoke in the House. Unfortunately, things didn't go very well for the former cricketer. The House had to be abruptly adjourned due to uproar over PM Narendra Modi's comments against Manmohan Singh. Proceedings will continue tomorrow. Tendulkar wanted to discuss the 'right to play'.
Information
The basic rules for speaking in the Rajya Sabha
According to the Rajya Sabha's rules, "Any member desirous of raising discussion on a matter of urgent public importance may give notice...specifying clearly...the matter to be raised." However, there's no need of a formal motion for a short-duration discussion, as Tendulkar was planning.
Speech
Tendulkar was to speak on the 'right to play'
Tendulkar was to initiate a short-duration discussion on the right to play and the scope of sports in India, at 2 pm. His notice suggests he wants a constitutional right for all children to have access to sports infrastructure and for sports to be made an essential part of education. BJP's Ranvijay Singh Judev and Congress's PL Punia had supported his cause.
Status
Tendulkar's speech has now been postponed to tomorrow
As soon as he got up to speak, Congress members started shouting slogans demanding an apology from Modi for his recent comments on Singh. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu's attempts to pacify them went in vain. For 10 minutes, the Bharat Ratna winner kept standing tight-lipped with a bemused expression on his face. The House eventually had to be adjourned. Tendulkar will now speak tomorrow.
Track
Despite absenteeism, Tendulkar's track record as an MP is impressive
Though Tendulkar has often faced criticism for absenteeism, he has been one of the few nominated Rajya Sabha members who have allocated 98% of MPLAD funds worth Rs 30cr. More than 60% of his identified projects have been completed. He is also among the few who have adopted two villages under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana - Donja (Maharashtra) and Puttumraju Kandriga (Andhra Pradesh).