Opposition leaders have demanded an explanation from PM Narendra Modi over abusive remarks made by one of his ministers
"Modi
jawab do (the Prime Minister must answer)," chanted angry opposition leaders in Parliament today, demanding an explanation for why a union minister has not been fired despite her hate speech in Delhi over the weekend. She must be jailed, said Congress leader Anand Sharma.
The PM was in the Lok Sabha today; yesterday, angry opposition leaders censured him for skipping the session despite the gravity of his minister's offense. "The PM will come to parliament as and when needed," said Venkaiah Naidu, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, adding, "There is no question of Niranjan Jyoti resigning."
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, a union minister from Uttar Pradesh, said at a rally in the capital on Monday, "The people of Delhi have to decide if they want a government of
Ramzaadon (descendants of Ram) or
haramzaadon (those who are illegitimately born)."
Ms Jyoti, 47, apologised in Parliament yesterday, reportedly on the orders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but opposition parties like the Left want her sacked and say she must face criminal charges for trying to incite communal hatred.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley described her remarks as "unacceptable" yesterday; the minister said, "I have apologized. What else can I do?"
"This is a non-issue. No further action will be taken against her... The minister has apologised on the floor of the House. That is good enough and speaks for itself," said BJP minister Prakash Javadekar this morning before Parliament proceedings began.
But the Opposition has made it clear that the matter does not end with the apology; both houses were adjourned for breaks this morning over the controversy.