The controversy over the sexist remarks of JD-U leader Sharad Yadav refused to die down as he remained unapologetic in the Rajya Sabha that witnessed uproar briefly on Monday over his defiant attitude.
Calls to him to desist from such a language and withdraw his remarks over the colour and body of South Indian women fell on deaf ears as Yadav said he was ready to debate discrimination based on colour.
"Why should I apologise? I raised a very important issue of discrimination on colour," he said.
"There has been a long struggle against discrimination based on colour... I am ready to participate in a debate any time," said Yadav.
With Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani appealing to him not to bring in issues like colour of women, the JD-U leader retorted in a tone of derision, "who are you?"
Irani reacted sharply to the remarks, asking Yadav to refrain from commenting on complexion of women in any manner. "I appeal through you (chair) to the gentleman, do not make comments about the colour of any woman's skin. I beg of you. You (Sharad Yadav) are a senior member, a very wrong message is going to the rest of the country," she said.
Yadav responded saying: "I strongly refute the allegation."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.
This is how Twitter responded to his remarks.
No shades of grey but his true 'colours'- Sharad Yadav exposes his crude sexism with @smritiirani with his "I know what you are" nonsense
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) March 16, 2015
Sharad Yadav is a disgrace to JD(U), to parliament & to India. Such men should be booted out of parliament
— Minhaz Merchant (@minhazmerchant) March 16, 2015
Sharad Yadav : Do share this with the women in your family . pic.twitter.com/Vx766axBn7
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) March 17, 2015
Sharad Yadav dismisses Smriti Irani by saying he knows what kind of a woman she is. Well he was really telling us what kind of a man HE is.
— rama lakshmi (@RamaNewDelhi) March 16, 2015
We have People like Sharad Yadav in Parliament and we blame RAPIST for everything. #SharadDoesItAgain
— Shweta Tiwari (@imShwetaTiwari) March 17, 2015
When Sharad Yadav was born - Doctor told all the nurses to take a leave till Sharad got discharged.
— ThakurSaab. (@HathwalaThakur) March 17, 2015
Bihar politician Sharad Yadav refuses to apologise for his sexist remark, A feudal, bigoted,casteist politician whose views are condemnable
— Mohandas Pai (@MDPai05) March 13, 2015
Sharad Yadav's remark about South Indian women's bodies reveals more about North Indian men's minds. Discuss
— RushdieExplainsIndia (@RushdieExplains) March 13, 2015
So the pumpkin of the day is Sharad Yadav. Guess he needs to meet more 'parkati' Mahila!
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 13, 2015
Sharad Yadav is going to move to curtail this session of parliament having firmly jammed both his feet in his mouth he has no place for more
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 16, 2015