Irani takes her battle to TMC camp

A Lok Sabha debate on education sector allocations turned bitter today with HRD Minister Smriti Irani ending up offending the Opposition with her hyper aggressive defence. As she fielded allegation of academic interference and saffronisation of education hitting back at MPs, the Trinamool Congress expected that she atone for her “arrogance”, that she declined.

Irani said rioting allegations made by TMC member and Harvard historian Sugata Bose in respect of top scientists giving up key posts, “If a charge is made, let us have the decorum to hear the other side of the story.” Bose had pointed out Anil Kakodkar, chairman of BoG of IIT Mumbai releasing himself from the process of selection of IIT Directors; IIT Delhi Director resigning and Irani filling ICHR with RSS theory rather than scholars.

“A professor has blamed us of interfering with the ICHR. ICHR members include Purabi Roy whose husband was a former CPI Rajya Sabha member and Sachidanand Sahay whom the previous The Congress government named epigraphy professor. And you blame us of bias?” asked Irani who was recently discarded from the BJP’s 100-member plus National Executive.

The minister’s sharp reply and finger pointing at Bose had the TMC leaders demand an apology which she denied saying, “Question doesn’t arise”.