Will quit politics if charge of saffronisation of universities proved: Smriti

24 February, New Delhi

Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani Wednesday refuted strongly the charges of saffronisation of education system under the present Modi government and dared the Opposition to substantiate the allegations saying I will quit politics if they prove the charge.

Replying to the debate on the issue of JNU row and Dalit scholar Rohith Vemulas suicide amid boycott by the Opposition Congress, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Left parties, a furious Ms Irani defended her actions on the suicide of Hyderabad University case and said that she intervened in the matter at behest of Congress MP Hanumantha Rao who sent her a letter regarding it.

Accusing Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi of politicising the issue, a visibly choked Irani said no attempt was made to take Rohith Vemula to a doctor and that his body was used as political tool.

Rejecting Opposition claims that Modi government was trying to saffronise universities by appointing vice- chancellor of its choice, she said, There still are many VCs appointed by UPA, I challenge that even if one of them says I do saffronisation I will leave politics, Ms Irani said as she warned political parties not to turn the education sector into a battlefield which will destroy the country.