Din in Rajya Sabha over granting leave to Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar

New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) There was a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha on Monday as cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's application for leave was brought before the house. Tendulkar is a nominated member of the upper house. Objections have been raised recently by members about his continued absence from the house.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said Tendulkar had sought permission to be absent from the house citing "personal and professional commitments" and "family exigencies".

It is a regular practice to take up leave applications from members, and permission is generally granted by members without any objection. However, as Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien read out the application from Tendulkar, 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 approved Tendulkar’s application amid objections by some members. Tendulkar has been criticised for failing to attend a single Rajya Sabha session this year.

The ace sportsman's average attendance so far is three percent, as per PRS Legislative Research. Actor Rekha, also a nominated member, has less than five percent attendance.

Tendulkar, explaining his absence from Rajya Sabha, last week said it was his brother's ill health that has kept him away.

"My elder brother underwent bypass surgery and I had to be by his side, no disrespect to any institution," said Tendulkar.