Saugata Roy’s comment on Nirmala Sitharaman creates furore in Parliament, comment expunged

A comment by Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy directed at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman created furore in the Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session. The comment, considered derogatory by many MPs, has been expunged or removed from records. Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi has demanded an apology from Roy.

While arguing against the Banking Regulation Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, Roy made a personal comment on Sitharaman, implying that the nation’s economic condition had increased her worries. This comment was objected to by various MPs, saying it was derogatory for women. Speaker Om Birla said it would be expunged. In her defence for the bill, Sitharaman referred to the comment and said, “If only Saugata Roy could listen instead of making remarks on other factors.”

According to some reports, Roy said that he hadn’t made any unparliamentary comment.