Didn't mention Rohith's name in letter, says Dattatreya
My mother used to sell onions. I have always worked for OBCs, Dalits. I have made sacrifices for Dalits, says minister.
New Delhi: After the BJP MP raised the issue of breach of privilege against Mr Scindia, Congress MPs too trooped into the Well demanding their notice against Smriti Irani be decided first.
Amid pandemonium, Mr Dattatreya accused Mr Scindia of “defaming him and tarnishing” his image by attributing such comments to him, which he claimed he never made about Vemula.
“My mother used to sell onions. I have always worked for OBCs, Dalits. I have made sacrifices for Dalits,” said the minister, recalling his humble background and work for the downtrodden.
He further elaborated that his letter to Ms Irani, for which he has been attacked by Congress, had not even mentioned Rohith Vemula’s name. “I never made such a charge against him,” he said.
But the Congress members were unfazed, with party MP K.C. Venugopal showing the rule book to the Speaker, at which she shot back: “Don’t show me the rule book. I know.”
Ms Mahajan added: “All the notices for privilege motions are under my consideration.” As pandemonium continued, the Speaker adjourned the House.
In the Rajya Sabha, Opposition MPs sought to raise the breach of privilege issue against the Human Resource Development minister.
“She (Irani) has misled this House and the nation through the House. Not only here, she has misled the country in both Houses. It is a very serious charge,” Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said.