Delhi: Leading government's charge in Parliament over JNU row and suicide of Dalit student Rohith Vemula, HRD Minister Smriti Irani slammed the Congress over its education policy.
Irani said that the Congress introduced conflict between communities at a very young age.
To prove her point, the HRD Minister referred to a book written by Teesta Setalvad which had been commissioned by Kapil Sibal during UPA regime.
The book was apparently meant for students of class 4.
Irani claimed that the book created differences between students on religious lines.
Sparks flew in the Lok Sabha today as the raging JNU row and suicide of Rohith was taken up for discussion, with Opposition accusing the government of muzzling the voice of the youth and "mercilessly crushing" the principles of democracy.
To counter the opposition onslaught, BJP targeted Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for his "support" to those standing with hanged Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and said the House has to decide if it stands with those who attacked Parliament or those who laid down their lives defending it.
The debate, on the first working day of Budget session, saw accusations and counter-accusations, with both ruling and Opposition sides underlining their credentials as "nationalists".
(With Agency inputs)
