Mahesh Sharma

"We discussed education and culture and how we can inculcate values. The other issue was pollution of ideology, national ideology...Some people alleged that we are doing saffronisation. If at all saffronisation has been done, it has been done by the public of India. We accept the mandate of the people."

"We will cleanse every area of public discourse that has been westernised and where Indian culture and civilisation need to be restored - be it the history we read or our cultural heritage or our institutes that have been polluted over years."

"Gita and Ramayana reflect India's soul. But we also respect Quran and would include best thoughts from it. I respect Bible and Quran but they are not central to soul of India in the way as Gita and Ramayana are. As India's cultural minister, I recommend that Ramayana and Gita should be part of our school curriculum and I am working extensively with HRD Minister Smriti Irani towards this."

"Girls wanting a night out may be all right elsewhere but it is not part of Indian culture."

"If someone claims the incident was pre-planned, I completely refute this. What happened was an accident. It is unfortunate."

"You run an NGO, wear jeans ripped at the knees, move about in society, children are with you, what values you will teach?"