I’m an upholder of women’s rights: Kiren Rijiju on row over sharing Renuka Chowdhury video

Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury moved a privilege motion against Kiren Rijiju for allegedly sharing a video of PM Narendra Modi mocking her laughter in the Rajya Sabha.

Minister of state for home affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Friday hit out at allegations against him of insulting a woman’s dignity, saying, he himself was an “upholder of women rights”.

Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju speaks to reports outside Parliament in New Delhi. (Sonu Mehta/HT File Photo)

The minister’s remarks came as a response to Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury moving a privilege motion against him for allegedly sharing a video of PM Narendra Modi mocking her laughter in the Rajya Sabha.

During the budget discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Chowdhury raked up the issue. Rijiju defended sharing the video saying he did it with the intention to “highlight the composure of the PM Modi”.

“How could my action be termed as an insult to dignity of women. I have always been an upholder of women rights throughout my life,” Rijiju said.

Later, he denied sharing the video at all. “I did not share the video. Somone tagged me on facebook and I cannot control who tags me,” he said.