Are only politicians let to talk: Cong uproar bars Sachin from speaking in RS

New Delhi: The moment Bharat Ratna and Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar rose to speak in the House after it re-convened at 2 pm, Congress members once again created ruckus in the house leading to an adjournment for the day.

The proceedings were disrupted by the Opposition for the fifth consecutive day where they have been demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify on his remarks against former prime minister Manmohan Singh during the Gujarat poll campaign.

Cricket legend Sachin had moved a Short Discussion Motion on the future of sports in the country and right to play. His maiden speech in the House was, however, marred with the Congress stalling the session.

Amid the Opposition sloganeering, Sachin remained standing for about ten minutes, tight-lipped, as Opposition members raised slogans ignoring Chairman Venkaiah Naidu's calls to come to order.

Naidu reminded the parliamentarians that the nation was watching the uproar they were causing in the Rajya Sabha and called on them to let Sachin speak. But Congress MPs paid no heed to his requests.

As his appeals for order went unheard, Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu reportedly said: “We’re discussing about sports and you don’t have the sporting spirit.”

The Upper House was adjourned till 11 am on Friday.

Read: Here's what Sachin Tendulkar may speak in his debut speech in RS tomorrow

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan said it was a matter of shame that Sachin was not allowed to speak.

“He (Sachin Tendulkar) has earned name for India at the world stage, it is a matter of shame that he was not allowed to speak even when everyone knew it was on today’s agenda. Are only politicians allowed to speak?” Jaya Bachchan said.

Sachin last appeared in the Parliament in August, 2017.