President Droupadi Murmu has nominated four individuals to the Rajya Sabha, filling vacancies created by retiring members. The nominations, made under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, recognize individuals with special knowledge or practical experience in fields like literature, science, art, and social service. The nominees are Ujjwal Nikam, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Dr. Meenakshi Jain, and C Sadanandan Master.
Ujjwal Nikam is a prominent public prosecutor, known for his work as Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial and other high-profile criminal cases. Nikam has also worked on the 1993 Mumbai blasts and the Gulshan Kumar murder case. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP fielded Nikam from the Mumbai North Central constituency, where he was defeated by Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Nikam's devotion to the legal field and the Constitution, noting his role in strengthening Constitutional values and ensuring dignity for common citizens. Nikam expressed gratitude to the President, Prime Minister, BJP President J P Nadda, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis upon receiving news of his nomination.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla is a seasoned diplomat and former Foreign Secretary. He has held key positions, including India's Ambassador to the US, High Commissioner to Bangladesh, and Ambassador to Thailand. Shringla also served as the Chief Coordinator for India's G20 Presidency in 2023. Shringla was the foreign secretary from 2020 to 2022. Prior to his nomination, there was speculation that Shringla would enter politics and contest the Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling. However, he dismissed these speculations. PM Modi lauded Shringla's expertise as a diplomat, intellectual, and strategic thinker, highlighting his contributions to India's foreign policy and G20 Presidency.
Dr. Meenakshi Jain is a respected historian and academic. She is known for her research and writings on Indian civilization and history. Jain is widely respected for her work in the fields of education, literature, history, and political science. PM Modi acknowledged Jain's distinction as a scholar, researcher, and historian, noting that her work has enriched academic discourse. Jain wrote the Medieval India NCERT textbook that the Vajpayee government had commissioned, and has also authored a book on the Ram Janmabhoomi.
C Sadanandan Master is a social worker and educationist from Kerala. He is known for his grassroots work in rural development and education. In 1994, Sadanandan Master lost both his legs in a political attack. PM Modi has praised Master's life as an epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice.
These nominations aim to bring diverse knowledge and experience from the fields of law, diplomacy, history, and social service to the Rajya Sabha. The inclusion of these individuals is expected to strengthen democratic debate and policymaking.
