Rahul Gandhi addressing an NSUI convention in Delhi
Smriti Irani and Rahul Gandhi sparred today on twitter over the ban on a student group by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
The Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, a group of around 20 students, was banned by IIT Madras after an anonymous complaint to Smriti Irani's Human Resource Development Ministry. The complaint accused the group of trying to "spread hatred" towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi through provocative pamphlets and posters.
"IIT student group banned for criticizing Modi Government. What next? Free speech is our right. We will fight any attempt to crush dissent and debate," tweeted Rahul Gandhi's office.
Moments later, came the backlash in a series of tweets.
"@OfficeofRG give me a time n place n I'm ready to debate everything re governance including education," Ms Irani tweeted.
She also hit out at Mr Gandhi for protests outside her home in Delhi by activists of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the Congress' student wing.
"tell ur men strong arm tactics were tried in Amethi n didn't scare me during Lok Sabha elections. They won't scare me now. yesterday u told NSUI to create disorder where there is order. Today ur goons come to my house as I'm away at work (sic)," the minister tweeted.
"'Next time fight your battles yourself don't hide behind NSUI."
On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi had urged NSUI activists at a gathering in Delhi: "The BJP wants to run India like an RSS shakha (branch). Wherever they want to bring the order of the shakha, you take the disorder of the Congress party."
The RSS or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP.
Earlier this week, Smriti Irani went to Rahul Gandhi's Amethi constituency to celebrate the BJP-led Modi government's first year in office, and accused the MP of neglecting the area in the 10 years that he has represented it.
Ms Irani, 39, a TV-actress-turned-politician, lost the national election against Mr Gandhi in Amethi last year but managed to reduce his victory margin.