Yadav unapologetic; clashes with Irani over sexist remark - Chandigarh Tribune

Sharad Yadav, JD-U leader

Senior JD-U leader Sharad Yadav today made a bad situation considerably worse when he reportedly told HRD Minister Smriti Irani “I know what you are” when she urged him to refrain from passing remarks on “colour of women’s skin”.

Defending his case in the Rajya Sabha, Yadav claimed to be speaking on discrimination against “dark-skinned women”. “Kaun hain aap...mantri reh karke baitheye…meri baat suniye...I have raised a very important issue of discrimination on colour (Who are you…sit like a minister and listen to me),” he told Irani.

The issue resurfaced in the Rajya Sabha when Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad dissociated himself from Yadav’s views. Prasad was present in the House last week when Yadav passed the comment, which left majority of those present in the House laughing.

Though the issue invited widespread criticism from various quarters, Yadav remained unapologetic, rather defiant. He said he was ready to debate colour-based discrimination. “There has been a long struggle against discrimination based on colour. The number of dark-skinned people in this world is more and I am ready to debate on their rights with any force in this world,” he said. He asserted that like (Abraham) Lincoln he was raising the issue of discrimination on the basis of skin colour and to expect an apology from him would be futile.

Irani said: “I beg of you. You (Yadav) are a senior member... a very wrong message is going to the rest of the country.”

However, Yadav said women alone do not have the right to speak for women. “From Gandhi to Lohia, I have all the record of what has been said about women. A lot of struggle has been done for women with dark complexion,” he said.

To Irani’s objection to naming Lohia and Gandhi, Yadav said: “I can discuss the issue with anyone. We are in favour of Indian culture.”

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said he would not allow a discussion on the issue. “White complexion or dark complexion, it is all the same. I am not allowing a discussion on this,” Kurien said. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the issue should not be discussed as it would get more complicated.

During a debate on the insurance Bill last week, Yadav spoke on Indian’s obsession with fair skin. “Your God is dark like Ravi Shankar Prasad, but your matrimonial ads insist on white-skinned brides.”