The minister, however, defended his written reply claiming there was no question mark over the birthplace of Sita and he had said in his response that the Valmiki Ramayana mentions it.
During the Question Hour, BJP member Prabhat Jha sought details about the development of the Sitamarhi region in Bihar which he said was not a "disputed" birthplace.
Sharma replied saying that a 'Ramayana circuit' planned by the government which included the Sitamarhi area.
To say that the birthplace of Sita, the wife of mythological king Rama, was a matter of faith, shows that it "does not rely on direct evidence," he said.
"The Archaeological Survey of India has not carried out any excavation in the district of Sitamarhi so far and hence it does not have any historical proof regarding Sitamarhi as the birthplace of Sita," Singh said.
In his written reply, the Minister had said "however, Sita has been mentioned as having been born in Mithila region in Valmiki Ramayana which is presently dated 2nd Century BC."
It is a chain of shoals from the Dhanushkodi tip of India's Pamban Island and ends at Sri Lanka's Mannar Island.
"By saying that it is a matter of faith, is it implied that there is no proof? Does the government have proof of their 'swayamvar' (Rama and Sita's marriage)," Singh asked mockingly. He demanded an apology from Sharma for his reply.
Other opposition members including Jaya Bachchan of SP, JD(U) MP Anil Kumar Sahani and Ambika Soni of Congress also raised objections.
Amid the furore, CPI(M) MP Sitaram Yechury, in a lighter vein, drew the attention of the members to his name, prompting Deputy Chairman M Hamid Ansari to say "You can be proud of your name."
BJP member Subramanian Swamy meanwhile said the government should get in touch with Sri Lanka on the 'Ashoka Vatika' and 'Sanjeevani' mountain which find mention in the mythological epic Ramayana.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
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