Sachin Tendulkar found himself on a different pitch on Thursday when the former India opener and captain was greeted by vociferous sloganeering when delivering his first speech as a Rajya Sabha MP. Members of the Opposition shouted “BJP sharam karo” as sloganeering continued in the Upper House of Parliament on the fourth day. Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11 am on Friday following stormy scenes on the floor of the House.
As Sachin kept waiting, Congress MPs shouted what sounded like ‘pradhan mantri sabha mein aao (PM come in Rajya Sabha)’, not allowing the master blaster to deliver his speech, which was to be the topic of the ‘right to play and the future of sports in India’.
A frustrated chairman of the house Venkaiah Naidu tried several times to quieten the opposition MPs, telling them their protests were not going on the record and asking them to show respect to the Bharat Ratna awardee, who is the only cricketer (current or former) to scored 100 international centuries.
Naidu, finally, had to stop live telecast of Rajya Sabha before adjourning the Upper House for the day, and in the process calling off Sachin’s debut speech.
The master blaster rose today in Rajya Sabha after her himself sought time for a discussion. Sachin, who was nominated to Rajya Sabha in 2012, has often come under criticism for poor attendance.
He, however, has asked questions relating to sports infrastructure and employment for sportsmen and has used 98 per cent of the funds allotted him as an MP for social welfare.