Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Shahnawaz Hussain (BJP) said it was a matter of regret that questions have been raised over the nationality of Anand, who has been the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.
Amid cries of "shame, shame" from opposition members, he said it was no way to treat icons like Anand who have been honoured with civilian awards like Padmashree for bringing laurels to the county time and again.
Red-faced over denial of clearance to the University of Hyderabad to confer an honorary doctorate on Anand citing doubts over his nationality, HRD minister Kapil Sibal rang him up yesterday to apologise for the embarrassment caused to him.