New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Monday observed silence as a mark of respect to the memory of former members Mukul Roy, Janardhan Waghmar and HK Dua, who died recently.
Soon after the Council met after a break for the second part of the budget session, Chairman CB Radhakrishnan read out the obituary references of the said members.
“Members, it is with great sadness that I note the passing of Shriman Mukul Roy Ji, Dr Janardhan Waghmar Ji and Shriman HK Dua Ji, former members of this council,” he said.
“We deeply mourn the passing of Shriman Mukul Roy Ji, Dr Janardhan Waghmar Ji and Shriman HK Dua Ji,” the President said and urged the members to rise to their feet and observe silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed.
He said that Mukul Roy died on February 23, 2026, at the age of 71. He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha representing West Bengal for two terms, from 2006 to 2012 and from 2012 to 2017.
Roy served as Minister of Railways in 2012, and before that as Minister of State in the Ministries of Shipping and Railways from 2009 to 2012. During his second term in this Council, Roy served as Chairman of the Transport, Tourism and Culture Committee.
“With the death of Shriman Mukul Roy ji, the country has lost an experienced parliamentarian and a dedicated public figure,” the President said.
Janardan Waghmar died on March 2, 2026, at the age of 91, he said. He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha representing the state of Maharashtra from April 2008 to April 2014.
Waghmar was an eminent educationist, social reformer and distinguished parliamentarian, he said, adding that he was a prolific writer and wrote a number of books in Marathi, Hindi and English in the field of education, literature, social reform and philosophy. He said his literary contributions have earned him several prestigious awards, including the Maharashtra Bhushan Award and other honors from the Maharashtra government.
“With the demise of Dr. Janardhan Waghmar ji, the country has lost a distinguished educator, an accomplished author and a dedicated parliamentarian,” President Radhakrishnan said.
He said HK Dua died on March 4, 2026 at the age of 88. He was a nominated member of this esteemed Council from November 18, 2009 to November 17, 2015.
He said that Doaa was a prominent journalist and political commentator. Educated at the University of the Punjab, he had a distinguished career in journalism that spanned several decades.
Doaa also provided distinguished service in public life. He recalled that he served as Press Advisor to Prime Ministers HD Devegowda and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and later as India’s Ambassador to Denmark from 2001 to 2003.
“Padma Bhushan awardee Shriman HK Dua Ji has been honored with several prestigious awards for excellence in journalism. His contributions to public discourse and to the promotion of democratic values will be remembered with respect and admiration.
“With the death of Shriman HK Dua Ji, the nation has lost a distinguished journalist, a thoughtful public intellectual and an able parliamentarian,” the President said.
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