Smriti Irani Clarifies on Her 'Menstrual Blood-Soaked Sanitary Napkin' Comment Over Sabarimala Row
Smriti Irani came under fire when she reportedly asked at an event if it was proper for anybody to take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood to a place of worship.
New Delhi, October 23: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday issued a clarification after her rhetorical comment on the Sabarimala issue. In a series of tweets, Smriti Irani said she is being used as 'bait' for propaganda. Replying to a Twitter user, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP also called the 'sanitary napkin' comment fake.
"Since many people are talking about my comments — let me comment on my comment. As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. I respect that stand by the Zoroastrian community/priests and do not approach any court for a right to pray as a mother of 2 Zoroastrian children," Irani said.
"Similarly Parsi or non Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age DO NOT go to a Fire Temple. These are 2 factual statements. Rest of the propaganda / agenda being launched using me as bait is well just that ... bait," she added. Irani came under fire when she reportedly asked at an event if it was proper for anybody to take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood to a place of worship.
"It is plain common sense... Will you take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood to a friend's home? You will not. Do you think it is respectful to do the same when you enter the house of God?" Irani asked. Seeking to point out the difference, she said: "Everyone has the right to pray, but not to desecrate," referring to a statement she had made recently after some woman threatened to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala with blood-soaked sanitary napkins.
"As far as those who jump the gun regarding women visiting friend’s place with a sanitary napkin dipped in menstrual blood — I am yet to find a person who ‘takes’ a blood soaked napkin to ‘offer’ to anyone let alone a friend," Irani said after a controversy broke out on her comments. "But what fascinates me though does not surprise me is that as a woman I am not free to have my own point of view. As long as I conform to the ‘liberal’ point of view I’m acceptable. How Liberal is that ??" she asked.
The Supreme Court had allowed entry of women of all age group to the Sabarimala temple. However, devotees did not let women of the 'banned' age group enter the premises. Prior to the apex court verdict, women in the menstruating age were only permitted till the base camp near the Pamba river, while men were allowed to continue the five-km long trek to the temple.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 07:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).