New Delhi, July 29 -- JP Nadda played it down as he spoke about arresting students during protests. He referred to his own days as a student leader.

"When I was a student activist, I was arrested many times from my classroom during the Emergency, when the Congress Party was in power. Such circumstances are a part of a student activist's journey," the Health and Family Welfare minister said in the Parliament.

Ashutosh Ranka took a sharp dig at Nadda's comments. The CJP spokesperson asked, "You mean to say that the country hasn't progressed one bit in the last 50 years?"

Ranka's dry humour sparks many comments on social media.

"He's saying that it was completely normal during the Emergency. So, it is completely normal even now. Hence, a...