Education Minister Smriti Irani counters opposition's charges in Lok Sabha
New Delhi:
In an emotional speech in Parliament today, Union Minister Smriti Irani hit out at the opposition for targeting her on the suicide of Hyderabad research student Rohith Vemula last month.
"My name is Smriti Irani. I challenge you to ask me my caste," the Education Minister said, rubbishing allegations that Rohith was persecuted because he was a Dalit.
"No one can raise a finger against me on this issue. I am taking it personally," she said, her voice catching.
In a 50-minute speech that saw her furious, sarcastic and choked up in parts, Ms Irani also laboured the point that she had been targeted by the Congress because of her work in Amethi, Rahul Gandhi's constituency.
"Have you ever seen Rahul Gandhi go to one spot twice? Never. But in this, he saw political opportunity," said the minister.
"Our children are not vote-banks," she thundered.
Rohith Vemula, a 26-year-old research scholar, was found hanging at the Hyderabad Central University last month, days after he was banned from the hostel and other areas on campus for allegedly attacking an activist of the BJP-linked student group ABVP.
The Congress and other parties have alleged that Rohith was punished by the university because of pressure from Smriti Irani and another minister, Bandaru Dattatreya, who had asked for action against those who had attacked the ABVP activist.
Smriti Irani refuted the allegation that she had forced the university to act against Rohith with multiple letters after Bandaru Dattatreya wrote to her.
"I did my job and I will not apologise. Communications received from MPs should be attended to promptly," she said, alleging that she had received similar letters from opposition members too.
The minister alleged that Rohith was used for politics by parties like the Congress and the ruling TRS of Telangana. Action was taken against the student by "those who were appointed by the UPA", she said, referring to the university administration. She also alleged that no attempt was made to revive the student.
A united opposition had attacked the government over the suicide as well as the arrest of JNU students on sedition charges over an event in support of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru earlier this month, when anti-India slogans were raised.
Smriti Irani targeted Rahul Gandhi for supporting the students and said: "Even Indira Gandhi lost power but her sons didn't support anti-India slogans."
"My name is Smriti Irani. I challenge you to ask me my caste," the Education Minister said, rubbishing allegations that Rohith was persecuted because he was a Dalit.
"No one can raise a finger against me on this issue. I am taking it personally," she said, her voice catching.
In a 50-minute speech that saw her furious, sarcastic and choked up in parts, Ms Irani also laboured the point that she had been targeted by the Congress because of her work in Amethi, Rahul Gandhi's constituency.
"Have you ever seen Rahul Gandhi go to one spot twice? Never. But in this, he saw political opportunity," said the minister.
"Our children are not vote-banks," she thundered.
File photo of students protesting against the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula at Hyderabad University.
The Congress and other parties have alleged that Rohith was punished by the university because of pressure from Smriti Irani and another minister, Bandaru Dattatreya, who had asked for action against those who had attacked the ABVP activist.
Smriti Irani refuted the allegation that she had forced the university to act against Rohith with multiple letters after Bandaru Dattatreya wrote to her.
"I did my job and I will not apologise. Communications received from MPs should be attended to promptly," she said, alleging that she had received similar letters from opposition members too.
The minister alleged that Rohith was used for politics by parties like the Congress and the ruling TRS of Telangana. Action was taken against the student by "those who were appointed by the UPA", she said, referring to the university administration. She also alleged that no attempt was made to revive the student.
"They (RSS and BJP) are simply crushing voices," Rahul Gandhi had said during his visit at the JNU campus.
Smriti Irani targeted Rahul Gandhi for supporting the students and said: "Even Indira Gandhi lost power but her sons didn't support anti-India slogans."
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