God or not, an MP must dispense his/her duties towards the people of the country. And no excuses work there.
It is not new in the modern society but to question God still sounds blasphemous.
The God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, was made Member of Parliament by some lesser mortals. And the God failed to attend this temple of democracy.
CPM MP P Rajeeve raised the issue of long duration absence of Rajya Sabha MP Tendulkar and actress and Rekha. He wanted to know whether they had sought permission for it.
Responding to this, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said, “As per Article 104 of the Constitution, if a member is absent from either House of Parliament for a period of 60 days then the seat is considered vacant. In case of Sachin Tendulkar, he has not attended the Parliament for 40 days whereas Rekha’s absence is less than this.”
Kurien said that Tendulkar was nominated to the Upper House in April 2012 and had attended the session for three days. “Last time he had come to the House on 13 December, 2013,” he said. About Rekha, he said she had joined in April 2012 and attended the session for seven days. “Last time she attended the House on 19 February, 2014.”
On Thursday, NCP leader DP Tripathi had raised the issue outside Parliament. “I like him (Sachin) very much as a cricketer and I really like Rekha as an actress but their conduct as nominated members of Rajya Sabha is despicable to say the least.”
With this, the issue became a matter of outrage and received mix reaction from the people.
The fans of Tendulkar had one defence like this:
Sachin Tendulkar should attend parliament leaving all his other tasks. To witness glorious disruption.
— Krupakar Manukonda (@krupakar_m) August 8, 2014
Some even mentioned his two decade old service to the country as a sports person because of which we all call him God of Cricket.
Interestingly, Tendulkar, who generally remains silent on twitter, tweeted when this controversy was in full bloom:
A big thank you to all my friends for their prayers n good wishes. My brother Ajit is recovering well after undergoing a bypass surgery.
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 8, 2014
But the batting legend, dressed in a black-and-white check shirt and black trousers, was seen exchanging greetings as he handed over the awards to the Commonwealth Games medal winners, which included stars such as boxer Vijender Singh, shooters Gagan Narang and Jitu Rai and shuttlers P Kashyap and PV Sindhu.
He was also seen exchanging pleasantries in a mall which he inaugurated barely a week ago.
He also witnesses a great controversy when tennis star Maria Sharapova told press that she did not know who Tendulkar was despite his grand presence at Wimbledon.
Hmm! So, was it his body double which attended functions, award ceremonies and even Wimbledon?
By the way, people sharply reacted over his statement:
Didn’t know Sachin Tendulkar’s brother went through by-pass surgery in a Shopping Mall in Vijayawada. https://t.co/LUz5Y4p6mC
— Arnab Goswami (@JudgeArnab) August 8, 2014
Funny @sachin_rt .. This emergency didnt keep you from Wimbledon & many other events? How lame! https://t.co/YDNUM7d49T
— MediaCrooks (@mediacrooks) August 8, 2014
Sachin Tendulkar has a higher attendance at tennis grand slams than in Rajya Sabha.
— Stereotypewriter (@babumoshoy) August 8, 2014
Sachin tendulkar ke pas brands promotion ke liye samay hai kabaddi dekhne ke liye samay hai lekin sansad me aane ke liye samay nahi hai…
— rajeev kumar jha (@rajeevkjha_76) August 8, 2014
Sachin Tendulkar with a south film actress giving a speech on by-pass surgery in Vijayawada Shopping Mall. #TrophyMPs pic.twitter.com/JF0G50hQ2S
— Arnab Goswami (@JudgeArnab) August 8, 2014
Sachin Tendulkar, a testimony of the fact that you can worship god but you can’t drag him to a temple or parliament.
— MonKey Shanti (@Urban_Stifler) August 8, 2014
Some even attacked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi as it was her party which nominated Sachin for the MP post. It is popular opinion that Tendulkar was conferred Bharat Ratna instead of hockey legend Dhyanchand as Congress party thought it will fetch them votes.
One person tweeted:
Just like nobody blamed Madam for appointing a nincompoop PM, she’s being spared over “nominating” Rekha & @sachin_rt.
— iMac_too (@iMac_too) August 8, 2014
And definitely some comparison was drawn too:
Only three differences between Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Gandhi – a few centuries, modeling experience, and relationship status.
— TheComicProject (@thecomicproject) August 8, 2014
Well, God or not, an MP must dispense his/her duties towards the people of the country. And no excuses work there.
However lame, Tendulkar has given an excuse. And Rahul has started attending sessions. Will be interesting to see what Rekha says.
