Rohith Vemula was not denied scholarship money, asserts Smriti Irani in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: Amidst allegations and counter claims on the inclusion of a Dalit member in the committee to probe the suicide of HCU Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula, Union Minister for Human Resource and Development, maintained that he was not denied scholarship.

“The impression being created that Rohith was denied his scholarship money is wrong. Rohith is deceased and it's best we don't read the FIR report in Parliament. His mother's only plea was that a judicial inquiry made into his death and justice be served. The allegation that there was no SC member in the executive council probing the suicide is also incorrect,” Irani said.

Earlier in the day, the house was divided and caught in furore over Irani's 'remarks' on Goddess Durga. Congress leader Anand Sharma said that no work will be done till Union Minister Smriti Irani apologises. “No work will be done till Smriti Irani apologises,” said Anand Sharma.

Also read: Remarks on Ishrat Jahan by Chidambaram, Pillai echo in Lok Sabha

The Minister said that she was a "practising Hindu and Goddess Durga worshipper".

"I read it because I was asked to explain what is the truth. I said it with a lot of pain. I myself am a practising Hindu, I myself am a Durga worshipper. These are authenticated documents from the university itself," Irani said. However, the opposition continued to demand for an apology.

Read: Uproar in Rajya Sabha over Smriti Irani's remark on Goddess Durga

Here are the latest updates:

16.46 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till February 29.

15.17 pm: Countering Irani’s clarification that there was a Dalit member in the probe committee looking into Vemula’s suicide, Sitaram Yechury said “Minister says there was a Dalit professor in the committee. But he gave a dissenting note and quit… Who is a good Hindu? Will they give certificates? Why is all this being brought up to divide country?”

15.15 pm: Responding to Sitaram Yechury’s allegation that Smriti Irani was making all that is foul, fair without any authentication, Union Minister Arun Jailey said “Every word the minister has spoken has been authenticated.”

15.12 pm: CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury at Rajya Sabha:

• Why is the government raising issues of Gods and demons in the house?
• The government is distorting facts, they virtually murdered Rohith Vemula.
• Rohith had asked for poison, rope from HCU a month before death. Did the government probe his request?

  #LIVE: Why is the government raising issues of gods and demons in the house? Sitaram Yechury in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/Skj0XVQO9e

  — Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) February 26, 2016

15.09 pm: “Facts are distorted. Without verification of any facts, nothing should go on Parliament,” said CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury in Lok Sabha.

14.51 pm: Calling bluff on Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani's claim that the probe panel looking into the death of Dalit schola Rohit Vemula included Dalit member, BSP supreme Mayawati said “I am not satisfied with the answer of HRD Minister, the truth is that the inquiry committee has no Dalit member. There is no intention of giving justice to Rohith Vemula.”

Alleging that it was the government's intention to deceive dalits, Mayawati added "The Dalit member that the Union Minister claims to be in the probe panel was not co-opted by the state. Because of this we think that this probe committee can never conduct a fair inquiry into Rohith’s death."

Rohith's brother must have been given a job instead of the political drama that ensued, she added.

BSP leader Mayawati lashes out at Smriti Irani in Rajya Sbha

14.44 pm: Union Minister Smriti Irani in Rajya Sabha, responded to BSP leader Mayawati's allegations:

• Rohith Vemula was not denied any fellowship money.
• Allegation that there was no SC member in the executive council probing the suicide incorrect.
• The child (Rohith) is deceased and it's best we don't read the FIR report in parliament.
• His (Rohith’s) mother's only plea was that a judicial inquiry made into his death and justice be served.

13.20 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 2.30 pm

13.00 pm: Rajya sabha adjourned till 2.30 pm

12.45 pm: The poor opened bank accounts in Jan Dhan Yojna hoping that 15 Lakh will come into their account, not even 15 Rs came-Sultan Ahmed, TMC in Lok Sabha

12.25 pm: This was pre-planned conspiracy to finish off political opponents. Reports say the affidavit was changed at the political level, says BJP leader Anurag Thakur in Lok Sabha on Ishrat Jehan.

12.07 pm: Economic Survey tabled in Parliament, GDP growth estimated at 7-7.5 per cent in 2016-17.

11.34 am: CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, “Union Minister Naqvi should withdraw for saying that we don't allow legislation work to happen in the Rajya Sabha”.

11.30 am: Any blasphemous remark will be removed, says Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman.

"I am worshipper of Goddess Durga," says Smriti Irani amid ruckus in House

11.25 am: Explaining why Smriti Irani made a reference to Goddess Durga, she said, "I read the documents because I was asked to explain what is the proof".

11.20 am: Smriti Irani must apologise unconditionally, says JD(U). “If Smriti Irani doesn't apologise, then the House may not be able to run,” said JD(U) leader KC Tyagi.

11.05 am: Anand Sharma called Smriti Irani’s comments blasphemous. “We as members take oath to uphold Constitution. Constitution of India does not allow anything which can be said or uttered that can be blasphemous,” he said.

11.00 am: Smriti Irani must apologise or House won't run, says Opposition.