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

No work will be done till Smriti Irani apologises, Opposition tells Government 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.

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.

However, the opposition continued to demand for an apology.

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,” says Anand Sharma.

Here are the latest updates:

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

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.

11.25 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".

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

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”.

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

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.

12.45 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

13.00 pm: Rajya sabha adjourned till 2.30 pm

13.20 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 2.30 pm

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: Smriti Irani in Rajya Sabha.

His (Rohith’s) mother's only plea was that a judicial inquiry made into his death and justice be served.

BSP leader Mayawati lashes out at Smriti Irani in Rajya Sbha

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.

#LIVE: Dalit member on the #RohithVemula probe panel not co-opted by State: Mayawati

— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) February 26, 2016

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.”

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

#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

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

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

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.”

15.17 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 ”

16.46 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till February 29.

end-of