Minister regrets remark

Minister of State Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Tuesday regretted her use of unparliamentary language while campaigning for the Delhi assembly election.

"I didn't have any ill intention. But whatever words that I spoke, I express my deep regret and I accept what I said," the minister said in the Lok Sabha while attempting to allay the tension her remarks triggered in parliament.

Following the minister's statement, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan cautioned all members to be mindful of their speech.

At an election rally in Delhi Monday, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti had said: "People of Delhi have to decide if they want a government of Ramzaadon (followers of Ram) or a government of those who are illegitimate."

However, she later clarified that her statement was for those who didn't believe in Ram and in unified India.

She told reporters Tuesday that her statement must not be given any communal overtone.

"I did not take name of any particular individual, community or party," she said.

"Is it a crime to talk about Ram? How can talking about Ram be communal?," she asked.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati demanded the minister's resignation over the issue, and said an FIR must be lodged in this regard.

The Lok Sabha was briefly adjourned Tuesday following the Congress-led protest over Sadhvi's remark.