While there have been several instances when Parliamentarians have shamed the women of the country, in a rare show of solidarity, several MPs backed HRD minister Smriti Irani when a male MP took an unsavoury dig at her.

While there have been several instances when Parliamentarians have shamed the women of the country, in a rare show of solidarity, several MPs backed HRD minister Smriti Irani when a male MP took an unsavoury dig at her.

The Hindustan Times reports, "While asking a supplementary question on mid-day meal scheme, TMC MP Sultan Ahmed made an unsavory remark the minister was known in every household in the country for her role as an ideal daughter-in-law while acting in the popular TV serial 'Saas Bhi Khabi Bahu Thi', and that is why he was expecting good performance from her as a minister."

Annoyed at the sexist comment, Congress MPs Ranjeet Ranjan and Sushmeeta Dev sounded out their objection which forced Ahmed to stop.

It's a welcome change since, more often than not, that Parliament has been a site of unabashed misogynistic commentary. Like we had noticed in the past, a JD(U) MP, while emphasising the need of strong anti-rape law, brought up the issue of what Indian women wear.

He also slyly hinted at MP Jaya Prada's wardrobe in films, asking why would grown women wear 'frocks'.

Smriti Irani, strangely enough, has been at the receiving end of a torrent of criticism - and nothing to do with her work as a politician. She has been continuously targeted for his work in the television industry and for her brief stint with modelling.

Initially, academician and Modi-supporter Madhu Kishwar had questioned a the logic behind making Irani the HRD minister. She had tweeted, "Smriti Irani merely class 12 pass. Went to bcm fashion model on to tv serial bahu. Is this qualifcation enf 4 India's Education Minister?"