In a 50-minute speech that saw her furious, sarcastic and choked up in parts, Ms Irani also laboured the point that she had been targeted by the Congress because of her work in Amethi, Rahul Gandhi’s constituency.
“My name is Smriti Irani. I challenge you to ask me my caste,” the Education Minister said, rubbishing allegations that Rohith was persecuted because he was a Dalit.
“Have you ever seen Rahul Gandhi go to one spot twice? Never. But in this, he saw political opportunity,” said the minister.
“Our children are not vote-banks,” she thundered.
