Smriti Irani counters Mayawati over Rohith Vermula in Rajya Sabha

"I am willing to answer every question," said Irani reacting to Mayawati and opposition ruckus in Rajya Sabha that led to adjournments.

She said a member of the Dalit community is on the probe committee and asked Mayawati if a Dalit is not Dalit unless "she [Mayawati] certifies it". 

Opposition also asked for the resignation of Irani over Rohith Vermula. 

Mayawati earlier raising the issue asked if the government will appoint a Dalit member in the probe panel.

Irani also asked if the opposition is signalling to the nation that a judge's capacity to deliver justice will depend on his caste.
 
Mayawati blamed Rohith Vermula's suicide on the RSS.

She said it is not the first time that such an incident occurred in Hyderabad University.

She blamed it on the RSS agenda against the backward classes.

Her lawmakers also raised slogans inside the upper house and stormed into the well of the house.

"We want justice for Rohith," they chanted.

The death of Vemula, a backward caste student, triggered agitations in the country as it is alleged that he was forced to end his life after a witch hunt by the university authorities.
 
Rajya Sabha is debating the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) episode and Rohit Vermula's death in Hyderabad University to corner the Narendra Modi government.