Yechury, too, launched a fresh onslaught against the HRD Minister for reading out derogatory references to goddess Durga from a poster circulated by students on Mahishasur Martyrdom Day.
Advertisement
Irani’s remarks in the Upper House drew criticism from leaders across political parties. Congress, TMC, BJP, Left while denouncing anti-national slogans in JNU, they charged government was gunning against students opposed to their ideology. As the uproar continued, the Deputy chairman adjourned the House for the day. “The minister raised a matter of faith to polarise society”. Irani named all the student mentioned in the JNU report and said ” Umar Khaild misled the university administration saying that he was organising a poetry reading event”.
“I read it because I was asked to explain”, the minister said, adding that she herself was a “practising Hindu” and she did not want to hurt anybody’s religious feelings. In fact, she began by saying she had been cautioned not to get agitated and adopted a softer tone in what appeared to be a bid to reach out. No such steps were taken against her as she apparently enjoyed strong backing from the RSS, particularly from the outfit’s joint general secretary, Krishna Gopal, a party functionary claimed. “I dare them this”, she said. “But for us, it is nation first, party next and self last”, he alleged.
He said this perception is “not new as it happens worldwide”. “Can quotes from cyberspace be permitted without the same being authenticated”, he questioned and insisted that nothing should go on record in the House without being authenticated.
Rubbishing opposition charges over for her handling of Vemula’s death.
Irani while giving clarification about her Ministry’s stringent action on “Anti-National” forces, had read out a pamphlet in Parliament earlier this week, which said, ” Posted on October 4, 2014. It was our government that hanged Guru.
They also objected to the manner in which the BJP and its fellow travellers were issuing certificates of nationalism and threatening to kill those they billed anti-national. What is that authentication, whom they are quoting, what is being said?…
“We have come to a stage in this country where patriotism is being taught by gangsters”, said the NCP’s D.P. Tripathi. She is making all that is foul, fair, ” he said, adding that during the incidents leading to the Hyderabad university student’s suicide “did anybody from the authorities talk to the Dalit students?
“He said that there might be a perception”. The BJP used the entire debate to polarize.
Advertisement
Both the Houses of Parliament today conducted smooth business barring occasional acrimonious exchanges between Opposition and Treasury benches over various issues including JNU and Hyderabad University.
