Din in Rajya Sabha over granting leave to Tendulkar

New Delhi  : There was a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha Monday as cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s application for being granted leave was brought before the house.

Tendulkar is a nominated member of the upper house. Objections have been raised by members about his absence from the house.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said Tendulkar has requested permission to be absent from the house, citing “personal and professional commitments” and “family exigencies”.

It is a regular practice to take up applications from members seeking leave from the sittings of the house and it is generally granted by members without any objection.

However, as Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien read out the application from Tendulkar seeking leave, some members raised objections and created a din.

“He (Tendulkar) came to Delhi, went to Vigyan Bhawan but did not come to the house. If someone comes to Delhi and does not attend the house, it means the person does not respect the house,” Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party (SP) said.

“Sachin needs to explain why he did not come to the house when he was in Delhi,” he added.

Kurien however said the members were not supposed to discuss applications seeking leave.

“So many members are absent for various reasons, it is for the chair to enquire why they were absent. It is not for members to enquire why a certain member is not coming,” said Kurien.

The house then granted leave to Tendulkar.