War of words over Smriti’s educational qualification

IANS/New Delhi

The row over the allotment of the human resource development ministry to “non-graduate” Smriti Irani continued yesterday with the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party BJP making comments either defending or lambasting the actress-turned-politician.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said it was a “fact” that the 38-year-old Irani was not a graduate.

He said there were only 10 ministers in the cabinet who were either graduates or postgraduates.

“According to my information, there are only 10 graduates or postgraduates among the 23 cabinet ministers. It is unfortunate that the country is going to be run by such a cabinet,” he said.

Alvi said though there was no basic qualification required to become a minister, the choice of ministers creates an “image of the government.”

BJP spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi brushed off the controversy, saying it was borne out of “frustration” within the Congress after its worst election performance with only 44 seats.

“The Congress lost the Lok Sabha polls because of its arrogance, and yet the party is showing no signs to remain humble,” Naqvi said.

Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti too defended Irani.

“What is Sonia Gandhi’s qualification?” she asked, referring to the Congress president, countering talk over Irani’s apparently “inadequate” educational qualification to head the ministry.

Activist and BJP sympathiser Madhu Kishwar described Irani’s appointment as an avoidable “grahan” (eclipse).

“Smriti Irani’s appointment not the only one disappointing or controversial but it’s like an avoidable grahan on a bright and shining rising sun!” she tweeted yesterday.

Congress leader Ajay Maken tweeted on Tuesday: “What a Cabinet of Modi? HRD minister (looking after education) Smriti Irani is not even a graduate! Look at her affidavit at ECI site pg 11!”.

Meanwhile, Sudha Shivpuri, who played the elderly ‘Baa’ to Irani when they acted together in the long-running TV soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, has sent her blessings and good wishes to the newly appointed minister, whom she believes will carry out her duties with utmost dedication.

The theatre, film and TV veteran is recuperating at her house in Mumbai after suffering a stroke in December 2013. She was in hospital for over two months, and cannot talk too much due to a tracheotomy.

Yet, Shivpuri, 75, agreed to share her thoughts via her son in a telephonic conversation from Mumbai.

“I have just sent her my aashirwaad (blessing) that ‘khoob tarakki karo (achieve a lot of success in life)’. And call me. Wish you all the love and luck,” she conveyed.

Irani, a former model, Miss India contestant, TV actress and producer, joined the BJP in 2003. On Monday, she was sworn in as a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet.

Shivpuri said Irani is “dedicated, hardworking and caring;” she is “well informed,” and has a “constant quest for knowledge.”

“She used to keep reading something or the other all the time on the sets,” said Shivpuri, who also shared screen space with Irani in Maniben.com.

“Smriti ‘khoob bhalaa karegi’ (Smriti will do a lot of good), and whatever she does, she will try her best to do it right and perfectly,” Shivpuri added.