Live: Mayawati reminds Smriti Irani of her promise to cut off her own head in Parliament

University is not a monastery: Chidambaram

A university is not a monastery, a university is a place when a student has the right to be wrong or even ridiculous-P Chidambaram

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Lok Sabha adjourned till 29 February

Rohith’s family’s statement means Smriti Irani misled the nation: Kharge

#RohithVemula 's family is contradicting Smriti Irani's statements,it means she misled the nation-Mallikarjun Kharge pic.twitter.com/AYwvduas6G

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Smriti Irani never answered my question: Mayawati

Neither did she (Smriti Irani) answer my question yesterday nor did she answer it properly today: Mayawati, BSP pic.twitter.com/ntZ9jNWPyP

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Demand an explanation as to how my son became anti-national: Rohith’s mother

“I demand an explanation as to how my son became anti-national and extremist,” Rohith Vemula’s mother said at a press conference in New Delhi. “Letters that were forwarded frm HRD Ministry indicated that students were branded as anti-national and extremists,” ANI quoted her as saying.

“Smriti Irani is lying and diverting issue, he never received the stipend for seven months,” she further said.

I demand an explanation as to how my son became anti-national and extremist: Rohith Vemula's Mother pic.twitter.com/G2SxO34Qee

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Doval meets PM Modi in Parliament

NSA Ajit Doval meets PM Narendra Modi in Parliament

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

(Updates from outside Parliament in New Delhi)

“Why use cinematic and dramatic expressions when you are making false statements? Bring out all the documents,” another friend of Rohith Vemula said at the press conference in New Delhi.

(Updates from outside Parliament in New Delhi)

“Why use cinematic and dramatic expressions when you are making false statements? Bring out all the documents,” another friend of Rohith Vemula said at the press conference in New Delhi.

(Updates from outside Parliament in New Delhi)

We appeal to PM to take action against Smriti Irani: Rohith’s friend

“PM Modi said India has lost a son. If India has lost a son, the same son was branded as anti-national. The same son was branded as extremist by your own cabinet minister. What action has Narendra Modi taken against his cabinet minister? Why has he not sacked Bandaru Dattatreya?” Rohith’s friend said.

“Why has no action been taken against Smriti Irani? She has given false statements thrice,” he said. “In the Parliament, giving false statements is an offence.”

“We appeal to the honourable Prime Minister to take stringent action against Smriti Irani for misleading the nation,” he added.

“We want an SIT team to probe this incident,” he said.

(Updates from outside the Parliament in New Delhi)

Smriti Irani lied in Parliament: Rohith Vemula’s friend

One of Rohith Vemula’s friend in a press conference claimed that Union minister Smriti Irani had lied in the Parliament. “Smriti Irani was lying that no medical officer was present…The government created conditions which led to Rohith’s death,” he said.

“She is said to have quoted Rohith’s note on Facebook. Rohith had many opinions apart from this one,” he said. “He was also constantly questioning the basic principles of Rss and BJP. Why is Smriti Irani selectively taking the statements of Rohith? Why is she afraid to talk about Rohith’s opinions on RSS and BJP in Parliament?” he said.

Deputy Speaker says he will get the documents read by Smriti Irani in Parliament on Thursday verified.

Sitaram Yechury: I beseech you, please do not pass unverified statements as evidences

I beseech you, please do not pass unverified statements as evidences: Sitaram Yechury in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Sitaram Yechury: She quoted Macbeth, foul is fair and fair is foul; she is making all that is foul, fair

She quoted Macbeth : foul is fair and fair is foul. She is making all that is foul, fair: Sitaram Yechury about Smriti Irani in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Sitaram Yechury: You have pushed the child to commit suicide, its virtually a murder

You have pushed the child to commit suicide, its virtually a murder-Sitaram Yechury in Rajya Sabha #RohithVemula

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Smriti Irani said that it was not just a “pamphlet” over the ‘Durga’ comments. 

The statement was signed by #JNU students, it was not a mere pamphlet: Smriti Irani in RS over "Durga" issue

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Arun Jaitley intervened and said, that every word spoken by Smriti Irani was authentic, unlike Sitaram Yechury who according to Jaitley was weaving fact with fiction. 

A ruckus ensued, as Jaitley, Yechury and Smriti Irana engaged in speaking loudly, causing distress to the Deputy Chairman.

Sitaram Yechury brought out the case of how Mahabali’s resurrection is celebrated through Onam. “Mahishasura is the king of Asuras. India comes with these traditions and that is our diversity. Who is a good Hindu? Will they give certificates and say I am a good hindu. Why is all this brought out here and creating a mayhem in the country and bringing stories of Durga and Mahishasura. Atal Bihari called Indira Gandhi, Maa Durga in this very house, she refused to accept it,” he said.

Sitaram Yechury takes the floor 

I don’t want to be personal. I don’t want stoop to that level. 

In this one month, I am asking, did anybody from the authorities talk to the dalit students? With regard to JNU, the security guard has given them the evidence, one security guard appointed by the university. All based on un-truths. 

Dalit professor was the dean of students welfare; he gave a dissenting note and quit the committee and therefore don’t hold the dalit teacher responsible for the decisions

Without these facts established, nothing should go on record. Are you permitting any quotes from cyberspace as evidence? Are you permitting these untruths?

PJ Kurien asks Mayawati to conclude her speech and says that it won’t go on record. Mayawati continues to talk over him.

Smriti Irani had promised to cut off her head if I wasn’t satisfied with her answer. Will she fulfil that promise? says Mayawati

On 24 Feb, I was told that on the discussion of the Rohith Vemula suicide issue, I would be given an answer on whether a Dalit member had been part of the inquiry committee or not. The HRD Ministry did not give me a correct answer to this question.

When I had raised the Rohith Vemula issue, I had felt that if they had kept a Dalit member in the committee, they should’ve answered me immediately. The truth is that they did not keep even one Dalit member in the committee.

The committee belongs to the upper caste.

This shows us the mentality and attitude of betrayal which the Centre had in mind when they went on to give ‘justice’ to Rohith Vemula.

The government is still silent on this question. This shows us the ‘Dalit-virodhi’ mentality of the Centre.

This so-called committee was just formed by the government to cover up the Rohith Vemula suicide matter.

The HRD minister, when she says, ‘justice cannot be done on the basis of caste’, should keep in mind the huge number of crimes that are taking place against people belonging to the lower caste in the country.

We are not satisfied with her answer. The minister had said that she would cut off her head and put it near my feet if I was not satisfied. Is she going to fulfil her promise now?

Mayawati: I am not satisfied with the answer of HRD Minister, the truth is that the inquiry committee has no Dalit member: Mayawati

I am not satisfied with the answer of HRD Minister, the truth is that the inquiry committee has no Dalit member: Mayawati #RohithVemula

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Mayawati begins her response to Smriti Irani

Smriti Irani made it clear to Mayawati that money was not denied to Rohith Vemula

#RohithVemula was not denied any fellowship money: Smriti Irani responds to Mayawati's question in RS

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

It is incorrect that there is no member of SC community in the inquiry committee: Smriti Irani responds to Mayawati #RohithVemula

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Smriti Irani’s response to Mayawati: 

Close to 3,19029 rupees had been given to Rohith Vemula as fellowship. His last fellowship was given in November 2015, an amount of Rs 54000. There however is some more money that he should get which is pending. The impression that has been created that he was denied any money is incorrect. 

A proctoral board on 10 August 2015 did have a representative from the backward community and a woman representative as well. The executive council which made the decision to not allow students had also co-opted a member of the SC ST community — the indication that the SC and ST community members were not appointed in these decisions is incorrect. 

Executive council took cognizance of the fact of incidents against the students. The ministry also sent officers to meet the academic community in the university, the students and submissions and statements were taken from everyone. One of the officers leading was of the minority community and another from the backward community. I specifically spoke on line to rohith’s mother, her plea was that a judicial enquiry be made. I also want to state, the judge who has been appointed in the one-man judicial commission served diligently in UP. Mayawati will have no objection. 

(paraphrased)

Sitaram Yechury: Nine times, she (Smriti Irani) has taken my name

PJ Kurien to Smriti Irani: First, minister has to respond to Mayawati.

PJ Kurien: Cannot run a house with people shouting from all corners. 

“5 people shouting and strangling the voice of other MPs, is that democracy?” he asks

Rajya Sabha resumes amid members sloganeering against an ‘anti-Dalit’ government.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2.30 pm

Anand Sharma expresses anger over Irani’s comments

Anand Sharma continuing his comment about Smriti Irani’s ‘blasphemous’ statement said that things have been said about prophet Mohammad and Virgin Mary but they were never mentioned in the house. He questionned Irani’s decision to bring it up.

GK Pillai mentioned the two affidavits submitted for the case were contradictory to each other. “One of the affidavits mentioned that they were LeT operatives while in the other one that aspect was deleted.  We had nothing to do with it, it was done at a political level,” Pillai said when asked who was behind the move.  

GK Pillai said that Ishrat Jahan  was a part of unit aimed to attack Gujarat Leaders. 

Times Now report about GK Pillai’s revelations on Ishrat Jahan spark a debate in the Parliament.

Sandipan Sharma of Firstpost writes , here’s an excerpt: 

For almost four years, dalits and tribals have been arguing their own version of mythology to counter the existing narrative. In 2012, several members of the All India Backward Students Federation (AIBSF) observed Mahishasur martyrdom day on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus on Monday evening.  Students from other states , including those from Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Bihar, and Lucknow University participated. The programme saw a discussion on the legend behind Mahishasur, the demon king who was slain by Goddess Durga. At one such event, Dalit leader Udit Raj, who is now a BJP parliamentarian, was also also present.

Again in 2014, tribals and dalits in 15 states spread across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa  celebrated the demon  king” as a non-Aryan inhabitant and a just king of the land, with Durga representing Aryan invaders.

Do we hear you ordering your mythology brigade lead by the aptly named Bhim Bassi to round them up for sedition? Do we hear the collective howls of bhakts demanding that now Mysore be renamed after some RSS worker or former chief minister  Yeddyurappa  ji? Do we hear kar sevaks now being neatly lined up as Durga Vahini to take on the advancing armies of demon Mahishasur? Can we see you mounting a steed to battle the new straw man you have created? Will you now demonise Udit Raj?

United Oppostion takes on the HRD minister hard: Smriti Irani read out from a document that was circulated in JNU about remarks against Durga to show that it was an example of the ‘supposed’ free speech. 

She read about Mahishasur Day that “Durga (Durga Puja) is a controversial racial festival” where a “fair skinned” beautiful Durga is shown killing “dark skinned” demon Mahishasur. 

She said that she was asked pointedly if what she was reading was authentic — she said that the documents were procured from JNU which is considered by some political entities as a “temple of learning”

Smriti Irani maintained that she was merely quoting from the books seized from Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Rajya Sabha DY chair says, he will expunge anything that is blasphemous.

Smriti Irani in Rajya Sabha: I am a practising Hindu and a Durga worshipper

Smriti Irani said that she was merely exposing the truth.

Defending herself against the harsh comments from the Opposition, Smriti Irani said that she is a Durga worshipper and that she made those comments “with a lot of pain”  

I myself am a Durga worshipper, I said it with a lot of pain: Smriti Irani in Rajya Sabha.

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Ali Anwar of JDU said that a number of pamphlets are distributed everyday, would all of those hurt the sentiments?  

So many pamphlets are distributed everyday, so will all of them which hurt sentiments be read in RS?: Ali Anwar, JDU

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Smriti Irani responds

HRD Minister said that there were comments made on the veracity of the facts yesterday — she said that the documents that she was referring to were official documents she recieved from the university and were not the documents of the government. 

I read it because I was asked to explain what is the proof: Smriti Irani in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

These are authenticated documents from the university itself. These are not Govt documents: Smriti Irani speaking in RS

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

The docs I read yesterday are officials documents from the Univ, these are not documents of the Govt: Smriti Irani pic.twitter.com/lg38zIsnSk

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

There were comments made on veracity of facts yesterday: Smriti Irani in RS

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Anand Sharma also said that they had asked her on a number of occassions to stop, but she did no. He said that “nothing blasphemous” must be tolerated in Rajya Sabha. 

We kept requesting her to stop but she didn't, nothing blasphemous must be tolerated in RS: Anand Sharma in RS

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Congress inclined to stall Rajya Sabha proceedings over the Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani’s remarks in the Parliament last evening. 

Congress to stall Rajya Sabha over Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani's remarks made in Parliament yesterday.

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Anand Sharma, deputy leader the Opposition said in Rajya Sabha today that the HRD Minister apologise for what she said about Goddess Durga, its blasphemous. 

HRD Minister must apologise for what she said about Goddess Durga, its blasphemous: Anand Sharma in RS

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

“I agreed that the Mayawati’s demand will be responded to, I made the observation that Govt may consider this” said PJ Kurien 

Mayawati had demanded that a Dalit person should be made a part of the inquiry committee in the Rohith Vemula case. 

Mayawati's demand in RS was for a Dalit person to be made a part of the inquiry committee for #RohithVemula case.

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016

Rajya Sabha speaker calls for Zero Hour, after he agreed that Mayawati’s demand will be responded to 

I agreed that the Mayawati's demand will be responded to, I made the observation that Govt may consider this: RS Speaker

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2016