Opposition wants minister sacked over remark, she regrets

New Delhi, Dec 2: Noisy protests enveloped the Rajya Sabha Tuesday as the opposition sought the sacking of minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti for using abusive language at a rally here, forcing her to express regret. As soon as the house met, opposition members were on their feet against Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Jyoti. Both the zero hour and question hour were lost to the protests. The house finally adjourned till 2 p.m. Some members slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not coming to parliament. "The minister has abused the people of India," thundered Congress leader Ashwani Kumar. At a rally here Sunday, the minister reportedly said: "Aapko tay karna hai ki Dilli mein sarkar Ramzadon ki banegi ya haramzadon ki." (You have to decide if you want a government in Delhi to be led by the children of Lord Ram or illegitimate children.) BSP chief Mayawati said what the minister had stated was against the spirit of the constitution. The house was adjourned for 10 minutes by Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, before Sadhvi Jyoti expressed regret for her comments. Under all round attack, she said: "I regret if my words hurt anyone's feelings... I am ready to apologize if the members want." But the opposition was not satisfied.