New Delhi, April 2 (HS): Trinamool Congress MP Mohammed Nadimul Haque called for the Bharat Ratna to be awarded to Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams during the Rajya Sabha's Zero Hour.

He emphasized her achievements and connections to India, asserting that honoring her would be a significant celebration of her success. Haque noted that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had made a similar request in the past. Williams, whose father is from Mehsana, Gujarat, returned from a nine-month mission on the International Space Station on March 18.

However, Haque’s speech became contentious when he criticized a late BJP leader, prompting finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to object. Deputy chairman Harivansh ordered the removal of the irrelevant remarks from the official records. Williams returned aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft after an extended mission.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar