Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he strongly disapproves a controversial remark by Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and urged the opposition not to disrupt the Rajya Sabha.

Making a statement in the house, which has been witnessing protests over Jyoti’s remark, Modi said she is a first time Lok Sabha MP from a humble background and urged the members continue the work in national interest.

“Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti has apologised… the house should gracefully accept that and carry forward its business in national interest,” Modi said in the upper house.

“I strongly disapprove it and have told MPs that they should be careful and avoid making such statements”.

“…we should refrain from making such statements and using such language.”

The minister reportedly said at a public meeting here: “Aapko tay karna hai ki Dilli mein sarkar Ramzadon ki banegi ya haramzadon ki.” (You have to decide if you want a government in Delhi to be led by the children of Lord Ram or illegitimate children).

The upper house, which had already witnessed one adjournment before the prime minister’s statement, however continued to be disrupted by opposition members who refused to relent and said the minister should be sacked.

“Niranjan Jyoti’s apology means she has committed a crime. She must resign,” Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury said.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said: “We respect what prime minister said, but…the minister should be removed.”

The protests forced another adjournment. When the house met at noon for question hour, the protests continued forcing Chairman M. Hamid Ansari to adjourned the house till 2 p.m.

An angry Ansari said it was “unbecoming” of members to keep disrupting the proceedings.