Controversial remarks by Union Minister Niranjan Jyoti today rocked Parliament with a united opposition creating ruckus, forcing repeated adjournments, even as the minister concerned expressed regrets and offered to apologise.
Soon after both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha met for the day, opposition members created uproar over the remarks made by the minister at a public rally in Delhi and demanded that she should be sacked. They also sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Members of Congress, TMC, SP and other opposition parties rushed to the Well leading to four adjournments in Rajya Sabha and one in Lok Sabha during pre-lunch sitting.
Congress had given adjournment notices in both Houses on the issue, which were rejected.
Seeking to mollify the agitated members in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it was a "serious" matter and the minister concerned wanted to express regrets in the House.
"My intention was not to hurt anyone. If my speech outside the House has hurt anyone, I express my deep regrets and accept...," Jyoti said in Lok Sabha.
In Rajya Sabha, she said, "If certain words spoken by me outside the House have hurt someone, I take back my words and offer regrets. However, if the House feels so, I am also ready to seek an apology."
Even this failed to satisfy the agitated members in the Upper House as they continued to create uproar demanding apology from the Prime Minister as well.
Later, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is also Leader of the Rajya Sabha said Jyoti's remarks were "improper and unacceptable".
