Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani’s request to JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav to withdraw his remarks on “dark” women met with aggression and disparaging comments that were roundly criticised in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
As soon as the House convened on Monday morning, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad got up to dissociate himself from Yadav’s statement on “dark” women last week during a debate on FDI in insurance.
“I was present in the House during the debate. I want to make it very clear that I dissociate from the remarks made by Sharad Yadav and condemn the same in the strongest possible terms,” he said.
Yadav arrived shortly thereafter and demanded that he be allowed to speak. While he was interjecting, the Irani said: “I urge you Sharadji, you are elder to me. You are a senior member of this House. Please withdraw those remarks. It is sending a very wrong message.”
The JD(U) president became even more belligerent and demanded a discussion on the issue. “You sit down,” he told Irani, “I absolutely refute your charges. I ask for a debate.”
When other women members protested, he got up again. “Women are not the sole custodians of the rights of women. I have something to say. I know what you are,” he told Irani.