Smriti Irani takes the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2014.
The Congress today frowned upon its general secretary Ajay Maken, who heads the party's communications department, for deriding union HRD minister Smriti Irani's educational qualifications, and advised its members to attack the new government only on "substantive policy issues."
"Distinction must be made between literacy, education and intelligence. Such individual attacks are avoidable," observed senior Congress leader and former union minister Manish Tewari. "Our critique of the new government should be on substantive policy issues rather than being individual or personality-centric," he added. (
Education Minister Smriti Irani 'Not Even Graduate!': Ajay Maken's Tweet Sparks Row )
The note of caution extended by the senior Congress leader came a day after Mr Maken exposed his party to a vicious attack from the BJP for poking fun at the new HRD minister's educational background. "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)!"'' Mr Maken had tweeted yesterday.
Mr Maken's comment had triggered outrage across Twitter, with many calling his stance "sexist" and "elitist".
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, whose National Conference is an ally of the Congress, had criticised Mr Maken's comment, tweeting, "To say that someone needs to be educated to be HRD Min is like saying one needs to be a pilot for Civil Aviation or a miner for Coal Min (sic).''
It also provided an opening to the BJP to attack its main rival, and its president Sonia Gandhi. "I want to ask Madam Sonia Gandhi, what is her qualification?" Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti retaliated this morning. (
'What is Sonia's Qualification,' Asks Uma While Defending Smriti)"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," the fiery BJP leader added.