<p>JD-U MP Sharad Yadav's comment on women's complexion created a ruckus in Rajya Sabha on Monday, after union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad raised the issue asking the member to withdraw his comments.<br /><br /></p>.<p>During the debate on the insurance bill in the Rajya Sabha last week, the Janata Dal-United leader spoke on Indian's obsession for fair skin and said: "Your God is dark like Ravi Shankar Prasad, but your matrimonial ads insist on white-skinned brides."<br /><br />Referring to complexion of south Indian women, he said: "The women of the south are dark but they are as beautiful as their bodies... We don't see it here. They know (how to) dance."<br /><br />Raising the issue on Monday, Prasad said: "Comments were made on south Indian women, I was also mentioned, I remained quiet. I want to keep myself away from that comment."<br /><br />"I completely disagree with the comment. Ask the member to withdraw the comment," he urged the chair. <br /><br />Trying to clarify, Yadav said his comments were misinterpreted: "There are more dusky women in India and in the world... I can discuss the issue with anyone, we are in favour of Indian culture."<br /><br />Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, responding sharply, said the member should not comment on the complexion of women in any way.<br /><br />"I appeal through you (chair) to the gentleman, do not make comments about the colour of any woman's skin. You (Sharad Yadav) are a senior member, a very wrong message is going to the rest of the country," she said.<br /><br />Yadav responded saying: "I strongly refute the allegation."<br /><br />"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 which Irani responded saying: "Please don't do this. Naming Lohia and Gandhi and commenting on women".<br /><br />Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said he would not allow a discussion on the issue.<br />"White complexion or dark complexion, it is all the same, I am not allowing a discussion on this," Kurien said.<br /><br />Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad opined that the issue should not be discussed as it will get more complicated.<br /><br />Yadav, however, said he was ready to participate in a discussion.<br />"There has been a long struggle against discrimination based on colour... I am ready to participate in a debate any time," said Yadav.<br /></p>
<p>JD-U MP Sharad Yadav's comment on women's complexion created a ruckus in Rajya Sabha on Monday, after union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad raised the issue asking the member to withdraw his comments.<br /><br /></p>.<p>During the debate on the insurance bill in the Rajya Sabha last week, the Janata Dal-United leader spoke on Indian's obsession for fair skin and said: "Your God is dark like Ravi Shankar Prasad, but your matrimonial ads insist on white-skinned brides."<br /><br />Referring to complexion of south Indian women, he said: "The women of the south are dark but they are as beautiful as their bodies... We don't see it here. They know (how to) dance."<br /><br />Raising the issue on Monday, Prasad said: "Comments were made on south Indian women, I was also mentioned, I remained quiet. I want to keep myself away from that comment."<br /><br />"I completely disagree with the comment. Ask the member to withdraw the comment," he urged the chair. <br /><br />Trying to clarify, Yadav said his comments were misinterpreted: "There are more dusky women in India and in the world... I can discuss the issue with anyone, we are in favour of Indian culture."<br /><br />Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, responding sharply, said the member should not comment on the complexion of women in any way.<br /><br />"I appeal through you (chair) to the gentleman, do not make comments about the colour of any woman's skin. You (Sharad Yadav) are a senior member, a very wrong message is going to the rest of the country," she said.<br /><br />Yadav responded saying: "I strongly refute the allegation."<br /><br />"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 which Irani responded saying: "Please don't do this. Naming Lohia and Gandhi and commenting on women".<br /><br />Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said he would not allow a discussion on the issue.<br />"White complexion or dark complexion, it is all the same, I am not allowing a discussion on this," Kurien said.<br /><br />Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad opined that the issue should not be discussed as it will get more complicated.<br /><br />Yadav, however, said he was ready to participate in a discussion.<br />"There has been a long struggle against discrimination based on colour... I am ready to participate in a debate any time," said Yadav.<br /></p>