IIT-Madras row: On Twitter, Smriti Irani dares Rahul Gandhi to debate on governance

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and HRD Minister Smriti Irani were locked in a spat on Friday after protests by NSUI workers outside her official residence over derecognition of a student group by IIT Madras.

Read: IIT-Madras bans student group for criticising Modi govt

While Rahul said the derecognition was aimed at "crushing dissent" and he will fight such attempts, Irani shot back challenging him for a debate on the issue of governance, including education, and accused him of fighting his battles hiding behind NSUI.

Police detain activists of National Students' Union of India (NSUI) during a protest outside the residence of HRD Minister Smriti Irani in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)

"IIT student group banned for criticising the Modi Government. What next? Free speech is our right. We will fight any attempt to crush dissent and debate," Rahul said on the twitter account of his office.

Replying to him in a series of tweets, Irani said, "next time fight ur (your) battles ur (your)self, don't hide behind NSUI. N (And) by d (the) way I'm returning to Amethi soon. See you there."

Read: IIT-Madras is autonomous, takes its own steps: Smriti Irani on row over ban on students’ group

Challenging Rahul, she said, "give me a time n (and) place n (and) I'm ready to debate everything re (regarding) governance including education."

Police stop National Students' Union of India (NSUI) activists during a protest outside the residence of HRD Minister Smriti Irani in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)

She added, "tell ur (your) men strong arm tactics were tried in Amethi n (and) didn't scare me during Lok Sabha elections. They won't scare me now."

She also said, "yesterday u (you) told NSUI to create disorder where there is order. Today ur (your) goons come to my house as I'm away at work."

Read: Will fight any attempt to crush dissent and debate', tweets Rahul Gandhi on IIT row

The political slugfest erupted after the Indian Institute of Technology Madras was at the centre of controversy over derecognition of a students group, many of whom are Dalits, following a complaint that it was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Police detain an activist of National Students' Union of India (NSUI) during a protest outside the residence of HRD Minister Smriti Irani in New Delhi (Photo: PTI)

Irani backed IIT's action, saying the institution has clearly stated that some procedures by the students' organisation was not followed and it knew that Dean will derecognise it for violating norms.

Read: Student body de-recognition: NSUI protests outside Irani house

Scores of NSUI workers today protested outside Irani's official residence in Delhi over the issue. The protesters from Congress' students wing raised anti-government slogans and accused the HRD Ministry of being behind the action against the body.