Smriti Irani on Sabarimala: Would you take used sanitary napkins to friend’s home?

Amid Sabarimala agitation and intense drama over menstruating women entering into Hindu shrine, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani has said, “I have right to pray, not to desecrate”, the news agency ANI reported.

In a video clip posted by ANI, the textile minister can be heard saying, “I am nobody to speak on the Supreme Court verdict because I am a current serving Cabinet minister.”

However, she added that it is “plain common sense”, “Would you take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood into a friend’s home? So, why would you take them into the house of God?”

Smriti Irani’s remark came in the light of an activist who intended to take a blood-soaked sanitary napkin into Sabarimala.

The textile minister was not the only person who came under fire for her controversial remark but there are several public figures who have been criticized for their statements.

On October 13, Malayalam actor Kollam Thulasi, a BJP supporter, issued an open threat against the ban on entry of women into Sabarimala temple, saying that any woman who attempts to enter the temple should be “ripped apart”.

Days later, Union minister of State for shipping and finance, Pon Radhakrishnan said that the movement was started by “people with perverted minds” and asked, if it was fair to level accusations over incidents that happened years ago.

However, when a correspondent at a global media organisation reported the statement, Irani took to Twitter and called it “Fake news …… calling you out on it. Will post my video soon.”

But, hours later ANI posted the video showing Irani’s address at the event. Watch the video:

#WATCH Union Minister Smriti Irani says,” I have right to pray,but no right to desecrate. I am nobody to speak on SC verdict as I’m a serving cabinet minster. Would you take sanitary napkins seeped in menstrual blood into a friend’s home? No.Why take them into house of God?” pic.twitter.com/Fj1um4HGFk

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018

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