Former Diplomat Shringla and 26/11 Prosecutor Nikam Among 4 Nominated to Rajya Sabha
President Droupadi Murmu has nominated four new members to the Rajya Sabha, filling vacancies in the upper house of Parliament. The nominees are former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who was India’s G20 coordinator; Ujjwal Nikam, the special public prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case; historian and Padma Shri awardee Meenakshi Jain; and Kerala BJP leader C. Sadanandan Master. The nominations bring distinguished individuals from public service, law, academia, and social work into the Council of States.
Unpacked:
The President of India nominates up to 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, based on recommendations from the government. These nominations are meant to recognize distinguished contributions in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service, bringing expertise and diverse perspectives to the upper house.
The other nominees are Ujjwal Nikam, a prominent special public prosecutor known for handling high-profile cases like the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks; Meenakshi Jain, a historian and Padma Shri awardee; and C. Sadanandan Master, a Kerala-based BJP leader recognized for his work in social service.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla is considered significant because of his extensive diplomatic experience, including serving as Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to the US and Bangladesh, and Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency. His expertise in foreign policy and crisis management is expected to enrich parliamentary debates on international affairs.
Nominated members often provide expert insights in their areas of specialization, participate in legislative debates, and contribute to policymaking. Their presence is intended to elevate the quality of discussions and ensure informed perspectives on complex issues, supplementing the elected representatives in the upper house.