JOIN USSachin Tendulkar was once again under attack in the Rajya Sabha on Monday for his prolonged absence even as the cricket icon sought to control the damage by applying for leave for the entire Budget session.
He was granted leave amid strong opposition from members. Cutting across party lines, members termed his long absence “disrespect to the House and nation” and there were demands for seeking an explanation from him, particularly when he was in Delhi to attend a programme near Parliament last week, but did not go to the Rajya Sabha.
The issue cropped up during the Zero Hour as soon as Deputy Chairman P J Kurien sought permission of the House for grant of leave to Sachin. The cricketer has attended the House only three times since his nomination over two years ago.
Kurien said Sachin has sent a leave application expressing inability to attend the 232nd session (current session) of the Rajya Sabha on account of “professional and personal commitments and family exigencies”. Naresh Agarwal of Samajwadi Party immediately objected to it saying: “Sachin Tendulakar had come to Delhi to attend a function at Vigyan Bhawan near Parliament but did not come to the House. Members’ views are unanimous that he has no respect for the House.”
Sachin was at a programme in Vigyan Bhawan, nearly 3 km from Parliament, on August 8 where he said he could not attend the House because his elder brother had to undergo a heart surgery.