HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday kicked up a storm in Rajya Sabha by referring to certain controversial remarks about a Hindu goddess in a pamphlet by Jawaharlal Nehru University students.

Her remarks during her reply to a debate on issues related to Jawaharlal Nehru University and Hyderabad Central University led to uproar in the House and its eventual adjournment at 8.30 pm.

The trouble started when she referred to a pamphlet that hailed Mahishasur against Goddess Durga. Congress MP Anand Sharma raised objections saying it was not proper to mention the content and make such remarks.

Irani said she was reading out from the documents provided by the JNU Registrar.
 As the issue snowballed, BJP MPs jumped to her support. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was heard saying that truth was bitter and it was written by students, who has the support of opposition party.

Irani also targeted Rahul Gandhi, asking whether he would support such views denigrating Goddess Durga.