Smriti Irani comments on her "Would you take sanitary napkins seeped in menstrual blood to a friend's house?" remark. Here's what she said

Union Minister Smriti Irani has issued a statement regarding remarks she had made at a Q&A in Mumbai going viral -- a story she had called fake news.

Taking to Twitter, the minister has shared a video of her entire interaction at the Young Thinkers’ Conference, and written the following:

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. 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.

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 any one let alone a friend.

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 ??

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Earlier, while partaking in a one-on-one on-stage conversation, in response to a point raised earlier by an audience member named Vinay about the Sabarimala issue, which isn't contained in the video that has been posted by Smriti Irani, she engaged in the following sequence:

"Let me breach my own privacy and tell you something personal about me.

I am a practicing Hindu married to a Parsi and have ensured both my children are practicing Zoroastrians. What this means is both these kids can go into a Fire Temple and pray. But what does this mean for me as a mother? Irrespective of me being a politician or a minister, as I have two Zoroastrian kids and a Zoroastrian husband, I am made to stand outside. I will stand either on the road or sit in my car. 

(Host interjects: Now 2 million people will tweet about this and temple rule will change. "No it wont", replies Smriti Irani)

You know how in Andheri there's a Fire Temple? When I took my newborn son, I had to give him at the Temple gate to my husband because I was shooed away and I was told to not stand here. I believe I have a right to pray but not a right to desecrate and that's the difference we need to recognise and respect. 

So the difference is -- I'm nobody to speak on the Supreme Court verdict because I'm a serving cabinet minister, but just plain common sense -- would you take sanitary napkins seeped in menstrual blood and walk into a friend's home? You would not. And would you think it's respectful to do the same when you go into the house of God? 

So that is the difference. I have the right to pray but I don't have the right to desecrate."

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A foreign journalist then tweeted on what she had said, writing:

Oh boy. Indian govt minister on whether menstruating women should be allowed into famous temple: “It is plain common sense. Would you take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood into a friend’s home? So why would you take them into the house of God"

To this, she replied:

"Fake news ...... calling you out on it. Will post my video soon."