Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien on Thursday strongly refuted reports that a privilege notice had been admitted against HRD Minister Smriti Irani in connection with her reply to a debate on the JNU row and the suicide of Rohith Vemula.
“We [some members of the privileges committee] met, but five members [required to meet the quorum for a formal meeting] were not present. So it was not a committee meeting. Moreover, there is no notice of privilege against Ms. Irani before the committee. So it is wrong to say that the panel has decided to seek an explanation from her,” he said.
There were reports that an explanation had been sought from Ms. Irani after CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury moved a privilege notice. Mr. Kurien said the notice of Mr. Yechury about having received threat calls after the debate on the JNU row was under the panel's consideration
