Smriti Irani requests people to judge her for her performance

HRD Minister Smriti Irani broke her silence over her educational qualification row and urged people to judge her for her work.

“I have been judged by my organisation with my capacity to deliver on assignments. I will humbly request all of you to judge me by my work,” Smriti said on Thursday morning.

“Extraneous circumstances have been created to ensure that my attention is deviated from the body of work that I have been entrusted with. I would not like to add anything to the statement that I have made,” she said.

“I have been judged by my organization for my capacity to deliver,” she added.

The youngest minister of Narendra Modi’s cabinet, the 38-year-old Smriti has been a target since she took oath earlier this week.

Congress leader Ajay Maken attacked her over her educational qualification.

“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 (sic)!” Maken had tweeted on Tuesday.

BJP hit back at Maken by reminding him of Sonia Gandhi’s qualification.

“I want to ask Madam Sonia Gandhi, what is her qualification…Because she was heading the UPA government, she was giving directions to the government. I want to see her certificate, see how qualified she is. Then the Congress people have the right to ask about the qualifications of Smriti Irani,” Water Resource Minister Uma Bharti said.

Congress leader Manish Tiwari came in defense of Smirit Irani and criticised Maken for his remarks.

“There is a difference in education, intelligence and literacy. This distinction should be kept in mind. If the government has to be criticised, it should be on issues and not superficiality,” Manish Tewari said.

Smriti, however, continued to be silent over the difference in the affidavits filed by her in 2004 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!