Congress has demanded apology from Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani for reading out controversial references to Goddess Durga during a reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. Talking to reporters outside Parliament today, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad said one should respect the sentiments of the people who worship Durga. He said Mrs. Irani should not have repeated the words inside the House which was used by some people outside.<br/><br/>JD(U) has also demanded Minister's apology in the matter. Party leader K C Tyagi said such comments are not acceptable. During her reply to a debate on the arrest of JNU students on sedition charges and the suicide of a Hyderabad University student, the Minister referred to Mahishasur Martyrdom Day reportedly observed at JNU. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, BJP MP Udit Raj has clarified on his earlier participation in the Mahishasur Martyrdom Day function in the University. He said he was an activist at that time and now he is a changed man. Mr. Raj said he attended the event five years ago.