Sachin Tendulkar was unable to deliver his speech in Rajya Sabha after Congress MPs raised a ruckus (RSTV via Twitter/ANI)

Bharat Ratna Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, one of India's greatest cricketers, was supposed to speak in Parliament today. This was to be Sachin's maiden innings in Rajya Sabha, as far delivering a speech was concerned.

But, for the first few minutes, Sachin just stood there smiling as the Congress raised a massive ruckus over PM Narendra Modi's comments about Pakistan and ex-PM Manmohan Singh.

As Sachin kept waiting, Congress MPs shouted what sounded like 'pradhan mantri sabha mein aao (PM come in Rajya Sabha)', not allowing the master blaster to deliver his speech, which was to be the topic of the 'right to play and the future of sports in India'.

A frustrated chairman of the house Venkaiah Naidu tried several times to quieten the opposition MPs, telling them their protests were not going on the record and asking them to show respect to the Bharat Ratna awardee, who is the only cricketer (current or former) to score 100 international centuries.

Naidu, finally, had to stop live telecast of Rajya Sabha before adjourning the Upper House for the day, and in the process calling off Sachin's debut speech.

Following the adjournment, yesteryear actor and Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan blasted the MPs saying it was a "matter of shame" that Sachin was not allowed to speak.

He (#SachinTendulkar) has earned name for India at the world stage, it is a matter of shame that he was not allowed to speak even when everyone knew it was on today's agenda. Are only politicians allowed to speak?: Jaya Bachchan, Rajya Sabha MP pic.twitter.com/NMRMHhdl5E December 21, 2017

The master blaster rose today in Rajya Sabha after her himself sought time for a discussion. Sachin, who was nominated to Rajya Sabha in 2012, has often come under criticism for poor attendance.

He, however, has asked questions relating to sports infrastructure and employment for sportsmen and has used 98 per cent of the funds allotted him as an MP for social welfare.

THE PAKISTAN LOGJAM

The continuing Congress vs government logjam over Pakistan, which incidentally was the country where Sachin made his test debut, is threatening to wash out Parliament's winter session, which was already curtailed due to the recent Gujarat assembly election.

Congress has been unhappy over PM Narendra Modi insinuating during a Gujarat election rally that former PM Manmohan Singh essentially conspired with Pakistan to help the party win the Gujarat polls.

During his campaign speech, PM Modi said there were reports of a "secret meeting" held at now-suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house. The meeting, PM Modi said, was reported to have been attended by ex-PM Singh, other Indian leaders, and former and current Pakistani officials.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu was visibly frustrated as he tried to get the MPs to quiet down (Photo: PTI/TV grab) Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu was visibly frustrated as he tried to get the MPs to quiet down (Photo: PTI/TV grab)

PM Modi's speech came soon after Aiyar called him a "neech kisam ka aadmi (low-life person)", remarks for which he was suspended from Congress's primary membership.

PM Modi's insinuation saw sharp blowback from the Congress and was met with an uncharacteristically strong statement from Singh. "I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread [by PM Modi] to score political points in a lost cause," Singh had said.

And, ever since Parliament met again for its winter session, the Congress has been disrupting both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, demanding the PM Modi deliver an apology to the nation for his allegations against Singh.

(With inputs from Rasesh Mandani)

WATCH | MP Sachin Tendulkar not allowed to make debut speech, Congress to blame