Noted Historian Meenakshi Jain Among Four New Members Nominated To Rajya Sabha By President Murmu

Noted historian and academic Dr Meenakshi Jain has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President Droupadi Murmu, along with three other distinguished individuals, in a move recognising exemplary contributions to public life, diplomacy, legal service, and scholarship.

The other newly nominated members include public prosecutor Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, former foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and Kerala-based social worker and educationist C Sadanandan Master, ANI reported.

Meenakshi Jain, known for her rigorous academic work on Indian civilisation, religion, and politics, has authored several critical texts challenging dominant historical narratives. Her appointment is viewed as a step towards recognising Indian scholarship rooted in indigenous perspectives.

Her areas of research include cultural and religious developments in medieval and early modern India.

Jain's deeply researched books have dealt with historical issues of national importance.

Her works include many books including, 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).

Ujjwal Nikam, a senior public prosecutor, is best known for leading the prosecution in several high-profile cases, most notably the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack trial involving Ajmal Kasab, as well as the 1993 Bombay serial blasts. His legal career spans decades of work in the pursuit of justice in terrorism and criminal cases.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a seasoned diplomat, served as India’s Ambassador to the United States and Bangladesh.

He held the post of Foreign Secretary from January 2020 to April 2022, navigating key foreign policy challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

C Sadanandan Master has spent decades working in the fields of rural education and social upliftment in Kerala. His nomination is seen as a recognition of long-standing grassroots service.

These individuals were nominated by the President under the powers conferred by Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, read with clause (3) of the same article.

These nominations come in the wake of vacancies created due to the retirement of previously nominated members.

The Ministry of Home Affairs made the announcement through a notification.

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