Cornered Sharad Yadav regrets remark on Smriti Irani, says have great respect for her

New Delhi, March 18: Amid much outrage over his sexist remark, Rajya Sabha member and Janata Dal United leader Sharad Yadav on Wednesday expressed regret over his act. Feeling sorry over his retort to Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, Janata Dal leader said that he respects women members. Read more #SharadDoesItAgain: Sharad Yadav gets bullied on Twitter

The issue was raised by Leader of House Arun Jaitley, who asked Yadav to clarify on his remarks reported in the newspapers while these have been expunged from the records of proceedings of the house.

"During the course of a discussion, a statement has been made, published by the media, as a part of the proceedings of this house attributed to our very senior colleague Sharad Yadav-ji. The comment tells a lady member, who is also the minister for HRD, that I know what kind of person you are," Jaitley said raising the issue.

"Even though the statement was not allowed to be recorded in the proceedings, it has gone all over media and it has created a very improper impression. If Sharad-ji can clarify his statement so that this impression does not persist," he said.

Responding to this, Sharad Yadav expressed regret and said he comes from a culture that is matrilineal.

"I regret this... I come from the background of a culture that is matrilineal... The Gond culture," he said.

"Our Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, I believe is the best minister and Smriti-ji... I respect so much. When a question was raised about her degree, I was the first person who said I am engineer of political science and have no degree. I was first to defend her. What has been published was not my aim... I respect her".

What Sharad Yadav had said in Parliament

A controversy broke out when Yadav during a debate on the insurance bill last week commented on complexion of women. The issue was raised later when Irani said the member must not comment on complexion of women. Many other women members of parliament also found Yadav's comments inappropriate.

Yadav, during the debate in the Rajya Sabha, said, "Your god is dark like Ravi Shankar Prasad, but your matrimonial ads insist on white-skinned brides."

Referring to complexion of south Indian women, he said, "The women of the south are dark but they are as beautiful as their bodies... We don't see it here. They know (how to) dance."

Smriti Irani, responding sharply, said the member should not comment on the complexion of women in any way.

"I appeal through you (chair) to the gentleman, do not make comments about the colour of any woman's skin. You (Yadav) are a senior member, a very wrong message is going to the rest of the country," she said.

Yadav responded by saying: "I strongly refute the allegation." However, people in the country share similar thoughts like Irani.

OneIndia News
(With inputs from IANS)