Criticism of Tendulkar's Rajya Sabha nomination unfortunate

Sachin Tendulkar’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha has been generally cheered by the nation. But some have questioned it on the ground that as per the Indian Constitution, no sportsperson is eligible for nomination. However, Soli Sorabjee, former attorney general for India, says that such an argument is unsound and that the Rajya Sabha nomination should not be confused with the conferral of a Padma award. More in the Indian Express.

What is the meaning of the word “sport”? According to dictionaries, “sport is a game, competition or activity needing physical effort and skill”. Sport is an occupational activity that certainly requires skill to produce a desired result. It is undeniable that the sport of cricket requires skill. Therefore, on an expansive interpretation of the expression “art”, sport would be included in it and the nomination of a sportsperson to the Rajya Sabha is perfectly constitutional. It bears emphasis that the purpose of nomination is that the nation may have the benefit of the views of eminent and experienced persons when legislative measures relating to a particular subject, with which they are familiar, are debated.

In the same newspaper, Rajeev Shukla, minister of state for parliamentary affairs, writes that too many people have been unduly critical of the government’s move to bestow this much deserved honour upon Tendulkar and his acceptance of the same, without really pausing to examine the intentions on both sides.