Live: Arun Jaitley Backs Smriti Irani Over ‘Durga’ Comment

“HRD Minister must apologise for the blasphemous comments about Goddess Durga,” says Anand Sharma.

Smriti Irani over the “Durga” comment said, “The statement was signed by JNU students, it was not a mere pamphlet.”

Yechury replied to Irani saying, “I beseech you, please do not pass unverified statements as evidences.”

Jaitley Backs Irani

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley supported Smriti Irani on the ‘Durga’ comment. He responded to Sitaram Yechury saying, “Every word that the Minister has spoken has been authenticated. If you have said something, authenticate that.”

Yechury replied, “She quoted Macbeth – foul is fair and fair is foul. She is making all that is foul, fair.”

Who is a Good Hindu, Asks Sitaram Yechury

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury blamed government in the Rajya Sabha for the recent death of the Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad University.

You have pushed the child to commit suicide, its virtually a murder. Who is a good Hindu? Will they give certificates? Why is all this being brought up here in the august House to divide country? Minister says there was a Dalit professor in the committee. Yes, but he gave a dissenting note and quit.

Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) leader in Rajya Sabha

Irani Claims Inquiry Was Led by Officer From Minority Community

Rohith Vemula was not devoid of the fellowship money.The proctorial board which took decisions included SC/ST members as well. Rohith’s mother’s only plea was to constitute a judicial inquiry into her child’s death. The officer leading the delegation was from minority community.

Smriti Irani

No Dalit Member in Rohith’s Inquiry Committee: Mayawati

I am not satisfied with HRD Minister’s enquiry into Vemula’s case. The truth is that the inquiry committee had no Dalit member. Because of this we think that this probe committee can never conduct a fair inquiry into Rohith’s death. The investigation into Rohith’s death was led by an upper caste. 

Mayawati in Rajya Sabha