New Delhi, July 21 || On the opening day of the monsoon session, Parliament paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The Rajya Sabha also honoured the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that occurred on June 12. In addition, five new members took the oath of allegiance to the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, including three nominated MPs.
When proceedings began, Birendra Prasad Vaishya of the Assam Gana Parishad was the first to take the oath as a Rajya Sabha member. Later, Kanad Purkayastha from the BJP (Assam) was also sworn in as a member of the Upper House.
Three newly nominated members -- Meenakshi Jain, C. Sadanandan Master, and Harshvardhan Shringla -- also took their oaths during the session.
The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha paid tribute to the extraordinary life of C. Sadanandan Master, describing him as a symbol of courage and a steadfast opponent of injustice. He praised Master’s unwavering commitment to education and his significant contribution as a teacher and social worker, noting his passionate advocacy for youth empowerment. Sadanandan Master lost both of his legs in a political attack in 1994.