Of all the cover stories you have done, this must take the cake for yellow journalism and slanderous propaganda (Smriti, a Fading Memory, Apr 20). Through unverifiable assumptions and conclusions, you have actually attempted a character assassination of Union HRD minister Smriti Irani. Why attempt to juxtapose her earlier career as a TV actress with her present job if not to create an impression that she is unfit for it? Also, I am astonished at how the write-ups made absolutely insensitive comments on voyeurism and the Fabindia incident. How can you trivialise such an issue just to further your hate-filled propaganda against Ms Irani? The worst part is that none of the stories did an actual analysis of her performance in the HRD ministry.
Parin Vipul Shah, on e-mail
The lack of educational qualifications has really made Ms Irani more insecure, a clear reflection of which is seen in her contempt for academicians and her hasty illogical decisions. It was inevitable that her godfathers would start deserting her.
L.J. Singh, on e-mail
Ms Irani’s ‘sindoor’, ‘flashing eyes’, her ‘blue-eyed girl status’, her Tulsi role, her TV commentator role, whether she is queen-been, ‘cut to size’, none of this matters. What does is that the country’s education sector is in her hands. Ms Irani’s appointment raised many eyebrows, her performance has perhaps vindicated some of it. But don’t be mistaken, it has nothing to do with the controversy over the low standard of her own education. Harvard- educated Kapil Sibal was no less controversial as HRD minister. By the way, did you guys ever call Rajiv Gandhi ‘pilot- politician’? Then why call Ms Irani ‘actress-politician’?
M.C. Joshi, Lucknow
It’s clear big-headed, haughty actresses are a gross misfit in a crucial portfolio like HRD. This is really a bad advertisement for education in this nation.
George Jacob, Kochi
The Goa police have clearly displayed an unseemly overenthusiasm in the Ms Irani-Fabindia camera row. If a fraction of this keenness had been shown in the January 14, 2013, minor rape case at Vasco, the rapist wouldn’t still be at large. And was the case so intricate that the Crime Branch had to be brought in? Ms Irani is no stranger to Goa (she owns a house here) and despite being a Union minister did not herself report the matter to the police, instead opting to first summon her political props.
Aires Rodrigues, Goa
When Ms Irani claimed she had a “Yale degree”, she had become the butt of many jokes. Then it became known that she had falsified her academic qualifications in an affidavit which would have made her criminally liable but, hey, this is India and she is Mr Modi’s favourite minister, so nothing happened. The lady should just thank her lucky stars and maintain a low profile instead of going after such well-known academicians.
Uttam Persad, Allahabad
Ms Irani would have pulled on somehow if she had been given some low-profile portfolio, but with something like HRD she is exposed everyday.
P. Gautampurkar, Sawai Madhopur
I for one would be glad to see the back of Ms Irani at the HRD ministry. It should be handled by someone credible like Arun Shourie or Yashwant Sinha.
Ravi Jain, Hyderabad
It is most likely that PM Modi wanted pliable people beholden to him in key ministries. The real issue here is not the cast of characters but the lack of ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, and there seems no signs of movement in that direction.
Arun Maheshwari, Bangalore
The Modi sarkar should replace the ex-dream girl of the small screen with the ex-dream girl of the big screen, Ms Malini.
Richa Juyal, Dehradun
