I am a Durga worshipper: Smriti Irani

Smriti Irani’s remarks that some elements in JNU had published derogatory pamphlets on goddess Durga led to an uproar halting the debate: Here are the live updates from Parliament

Responding to Congress leader Anand Sharma’s accusation, Human resource development minister Smriti Irani on Friday said in Rajya Sabha the documents she read on Goddess Durga on Thursday were documents from Jawaharlal Nehru University and not the government’s.

“These are authenticated documents from the university itself. These are not government documents,” Irani said while replying to the objection raised by Opposition leaders in the Upper House.

Irani said: “I read it because I was asked to explain what is the proof.” “I myself am a Durga worshipper, I said it with a lot of pain,” she added.

style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The House proceedings began on Friday with stalemate over JNU debate as the Opposition parties attacked Irani for ‘Durga’ remarks, saying religious sentiments cannot be hurt and demanded apology from her.

The Congress has decided to stall Parliament as Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani refused to heed their demand on Thursday to stop reading from a pamphlet brought out by a section of JNU students which had derogatory references to goddess Durga.

“HRD Minister must apologise for what she said about Goddess Durga, its blasphemous,” Congress minister Anand Sharma said in Rajya Sabha.

“What is happening in this house. Many things have been said about Prophet Mohammad and Virgin Mary but we never mention them in the House. This is highly objectionable.Can we allow this,” an angry Sharma said.