In a significant announcement, the President has put forward the names of former diplomat Harsh Shringla and distinguished lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who played a key role in the prosecution of 26/11 attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab, for nomination to the Rajya Sabha.

A Gazette notification released by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday revealed that four individuals were nominated to the Upper House of Parliament, representing diverse fields such as diplomacy, law, history, and social work.

The nominees listed by the MHA included Harsh Shringla (renowned diplomat), Ujjwal Nikam (legal expert), Meenakshi Jain (notable historian), and Sadanadan Master (educator from Kerala). According to the MHA notification, these nominations were made to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of previous members. The President of India has the authority to nominate 12 individuals to the Rajya Sabha, who are recognized figures from various domains including art, literature, and public service. Currently, four of these 12 positions are unoccupied.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, in conjunction with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate the following individuals to the Council of States to fill the vacancies resulting from the retirement of nominated members: Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, C Sadanandan Master, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Dr. Meenakshi Jain,” stated the MHA notification.

Nikam served as the public prosecutor during the trial of Ajmal Amir Kasab in the 26/11 case. He was instrumental in prosecuting the Pakistani terrorist in both the sessions court and the Bombay High Court, and he assisted senior counsel Gopal Subramanium in the Supreme Court. Kasab, the only terrorist captured alive during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was sentenced to death by a sessions court in May 2010, a ruling that was subsequently upheld by the High Court in 2011 and later by the Supreme Court.

Nikam has also received a ticket from the BJP to run in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections for the Mumbai North Central constituency. Nevertheless, he was defeated by Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Nikam’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha, stating that the lawyer has consistently worked to “uphold Constitutional values” throughout his career.

“Shri Ujjwal Nikam’s commitment to the legal profession and our Constitution is commendable. He has not only achieved success as a lawyer but has also been a leading figure in pursuing justice in significant cases. Throughout his legal career, he has consistently aimed to reinforce Constitutional values and ensure that ordinary citizens are treated with respect. It is heartening that the President of India has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. I wish him all the best for his time in Parliament,” PM Modi tweeted. Shringla, a former Foreign Secretary of India, has also served as an Ambassador to the United States, Bangladesh, and Thailand. He was the Chief Coordinator during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023.

PM Modi commended his contributions to India’s foreign policy, noting that his insights will enhance the discussions in Parliament.

“Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has thrived as a diplomat, intellectual, and strategic thinker. Over the years, he has made significant contributions to India’s foreign policy and played a vital role in our G20 Presidency. I am pleased that he has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India. His distinct perspectives will greatly enrich the proceedings in Parliament,” he tweeted.

The Prime Minister also recognized Dr. Meenakshi Jain for her contributions to education and history, stating that her work has “enriched academic discourse.” He offered his best wishes for her term as an MP. “It is a great joy that Dr. Meenakshi Jain Ji has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rashtrapati Ji. She has established herself as a distinguished scholar, researcher, and historian.”Shri C. Sadanandan Master exemplifies courage and an unwavering stance against injustice. Neither violence nor intimidation could shake his commitment to national development.

His contributions as an educator and social worker are highly praiseworthy. He shows immense passion for empowering the youth. Congratulations to him on his nomination to the Rajya Sabha by Rahstrapati Ji. Wishing him all the best in his new role as MP,” he stated.