Niranjan Jyoti's remarks: Oppositions corner govt despite Modi expressing regret
"BJP is playing politics over Dalit class. She (Niranjan Jyoti) does not belong to a Dalit class. She is using abusive statements and if there is a problem with her, then she must be replaced with some other party members," Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati told reporters on Friday.
Earlier, a protest was held by Oppositions outside the parliament House, where Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was seen taking a leadership.
The Opposition MPs including Gandhi tied black cloths around their mouths to stage a protest against government' decision to not sack the "abusive" minister.
Slamming the government, Gandhi said, "It is the mindset of top leadership in the government that democratic conversations should not be allowed."
This came despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day said in the Rajya Sabha that the minister who made abusive comments about religious minorities had already apologised.
“When one of our colleagues asks for forgiveness, we should show generosity. The Minister concerned has apologised. She is a first-time member and comes from a rural background,” PM Modi said.
He said that the minister has been clearly warned that the sort of language she used was unacceptable.
Thanking the Opposition for allowing the Lok Sabha to function, he said: “We should move ahead with our work.”
Meanwhile, Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that Niranjan Jyoti, 47, who made abusive remarks about religious minorities at a rally on Sunday, will continue to campaign in Delhi.
Reports said two of Jyoti’s public appearances were canceled since her speech on the weekend.
“They are attacking a village woman and they are afraid because she is affecting people…They wanted the PM to make a statement and he did that. They said PM was not to be seen and he was there,” Naidu said.
The Union minister said that the government made it clear that Jyoti will not be removed from office.
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