Mayawati had demanded that a Dalit be included in the Centre's panel inquiring into the death of Rohith Vemula.
Highlights
- Rohith Vemula suicide: Mayawati, Smriti Irani spar in Parliament again
- Mayawati had demanded a Dalit on the panel probing Vemula's death
- Vemula committed suicide after alleging discrimination against Dalits
Two days ago, Union Minister Smriti Irani had dramatically declared in Parliament that she would
cut off her head and place it at Mayawati's feet if her reply did not satisfy the BSP leader.
Today, Ms Mayawati seized the chance to remind the minister of that statement.
The Uttar Pradesh politician, speaking during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Hyderabad student Rohith Vemula's suicide, said she was not convinced by the minister's response to her questions.
Mayawati had demanded that a Dalit be included in the Centre's panel inquiring into the death of Rohith, who hung himself at the Hyderabad Central University on January 17, days after being banned from the hostel and other areas on campus for allegedly attacking an activist of the BJP-linked students' union ABVP. Rohith's supporters and opposition parties allege that he was ostracized because he was a Dalit.
"My question was whether a Dalit member is part of the Commission, the government has not answered this so far," said Ms Mayawati.
"The minister had said she would cut off her head. I am not satisfied and since you said that you will cut off your head, what will you do?" she challenged the minister. Loud cheers and laughter rose from the opposition benches.
Shouting above the noise, Ms Irani shot back: "You can ask your workers to take away my head."
This is the second time in two days that
Ms Irani and Ms Mayawati have sparred over the Rohith Vemula controversy, which has triggered an acrimonious political debate over caste discrimination in colleges.