india

Updated: Jul 16, 2014 16:52 IST

Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed bonhomie and camaraderie among women parliamentarians when two Congress members strongly came out in support of HRD minister Smriti Irani after certain remarks from a Trinamool Congress member about her past acting career.

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.

Congress members Ranjeet Ranjan and Sushmita Dev immediately stood up and protested against the remark saying the TMC member has no business to refer about the acting career of the minister and it has nothing to do with the issue being discussed, forcing Ahmed to make a hasty retreat.

Later Dev regretted at a member making such as "gender insensitive" remark and congratulated Irani for holding the charge of the HRD ministry, saying as a woman she was proud of her achievement. This prompted Irani to thank her profusely.