Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti says sorry for hate speech; Congress demands FIR

New Delhi: Under attack for her comments Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said that she was willing to take back her words. “I take back my words and offer regret. However, if the House feels so, I am also ready to seek an apology.”

In the Lok Sabha, she said, “My intention was not to hurt anyone. If my speech has hurt anyone, I express my deep regrets.”

The Opposition, however, stormed into the well and demanded her sacking. “A mere apology will not suffice. She will have to resign,” was the general refrain.

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia, who led the attack, was later praised by Rahul Gandhi, who was seen patting him after the minister was forced to express regret.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley, said Ms Jyoti’s remarks were “improper and unacceptable.” He said the House cannot decide whether her action was criminal in nature, and it should be left to the agencies outside the House.

Congress demands FIR against Sadhvi:

The Congress has started giving confusing signals on backing key legislative bills that the government plans to pass during the current session of Parliament.

While the party’s strategy was to block business in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday on the demand to sack Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti on her controversial remarks, it’s tactics for the Lok Sabha are yet to become clear.

“We will not allow the Rajya Sabha to function tomorrow unless the government files an FIR against Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and drop her from the Cabinet,” a Congress floor manager said.

Meanwhile, here are some reactions from leaders of other political parties:

"What is Narendra Modi’s stand on this? Why has he not condemned it so far? Before this, Giriraj Singh had also said such things and he was made a minister. The issue is the culpable silence of the PM."

 — Abhishek Singhvi,Congress leader

"This is the real character of BJP. Their language shows what kind of work they are doing at the Centre and what kind of work they will do for Delhi."

—Manish Sisodia, AAP leader