In a rare and heartfelt gesture that underscored mutual respect and cultural connection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called renowned Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam on Saturday evening to inform him of his nomination to the Rajya Sabha. The call began with a disarming question: “Shall I speak in Hindi or Marathi?” — a moment that Nikam says he will never forget.

“We both laughed,” Nikam recalled while addressing the media in Mumbai. “The Prime Minister then switched to Marathi and told me that the President has decided to entrust me with new responsibilities. I immediately said yes — it was an honour I could never refuse.”

Nikam, who gained national prominence for leading the prosecution in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, has now been officially nominated to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80 of the Constitution. The notification, issued late Saturday night, also named former diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master, and noted historian Dr. Meenakshi Jain as the other eminent personalities chosen for the Upper House.

The move is being widely seen as a recognition of Nikam’s unwavering dedication to justice and his critical role in some of India’s most high-profile legal battles. Over the years, Nikam has prosecuted cases involving terrorism, gangsters, and crimes against women — always with a calm, focused resolve that earned him respect across the political and legal spectrum.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi praised Nikam’s work, stating, “His devotion to the legal field and to the Constitution is exemplary. He has consistently stood for justice, defending the rights and dignity of the common man.”