Former diplomat Harsh V Shringla
The President Droupadi Murmu has nominated former diplomat Harsh V Shringla, noted lawyer Ujjwal Nigam, historian Meenakshi Jain and teacher C Sadanandan Master for Rajya Sabha.
A notification on the matter was issued by the Home Ministry late on Saturday. The nominations have been made by the President of India under Article 80 of the Constitution, which allows for the appointment of individuals with special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art and social service.
Announcing the nomination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post said: “Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker. Over the years, he’s made key contributions to India’s foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 Presidency. Glad that he’s been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings,” he said.
Shringla, a 1984-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, previously served as India’s Ambassador to the High Commissioner to Bangladesh. He was Foreign Secretary from January 2020 to April 2022, navigating India’s diplomatic landscape during the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Nikam, Modi wrote: “Shri Ujjwal Nikam’s devotion to the legal field and to our Constitution is exemplary. He has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases. During his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity.”
Nikam, a prominent criminal lawyer, is best known for his role as the Special Public Prosecutor in several high-profile cases, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial of Ajmal Kasab and the 1993 Bombay blasts case. Over his decades-long legal career, Nikam has represented the Maharashtra government in many criminal cases
On Jain, the Prime Minister said that she has distinguished herself as a scholar, researcher and historian. “Her work in the fields of education, literature, history and political science have enriched academic discourse significantly,” he said. She worked as former Associate Professor of history at Gargi College, University of Delhi, former Fellow of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, and former member of the Governing Council of Indian Council of Historical Research. She is currently Senior Fellow of the Indian Council of Social Science Research and her areas of research include cultural and religious developments in medieval and early modern India.
Her deeply researched books have dealt with historical issues of national importance: Flight of Deities and Rebirth of Temples (2019), The Battle for Rama: Case of the temple at Ayodhya (2017), Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries and the changing Colonial Discourse (2016), Rama and Ayodhya (2013), Parallel Pathways: Essays on Hindu –Muslim Relations (1707-1857) (2010).
Talking about Master, the Prime Minister said that his life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. “Violence and intimidation couldn’t deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable. He is extremely passionate towards youth empowerment,” Modi said.
According to reports, published in Kerala media, C Sadanandan Master is known for surviving a politically motivated attack in the 1990s. He is a high school teacher from Thrissur district, Kerala, with a long career in education.
Published on July 13, 2025