The pictures were reportedly taken at a school function where Neera Yadav, the state's Human Resource Development minister, was chief guest. The pictures were published in a newspaper.
NDTV cannot independently verify the authenticity of the photos.
People on social networking sites pulled no punches as they criticised the minister for seemingly paying tributes to Dr Kalam, who is alive and well.
Our beloved, and breathing, Dr Kalam just after a tilak was applied on him by the BJP minister in fond remembrance. pic.twitter.com/70fy9WV9pk
- Anand Ranganathan (@ARangarajan1972) July 22, 2015Jharkhand's Education Minister pays homage to APJ Abdul Kalam Its the reason we need to set a minimum qualification for contesting elections
- Deepak Pal (@Deepakpal) July 22, 2015Can any1 plz check Yadav's degree? I think she too has Fake Degrees. APJ Abdul Kalam death news is Shocker. IIN client base is increasing.
- Gustakh Nigaah (@SarcastiCharm) July 22, 2015Those who are piqued by garlanding of image of APJ Abdul Kalam, don't forget Mayawati does it to her own statue on her B/day every year.
- Ramesh (@netargument) July 22, 2015Jharkhand Education minister pays tribute to living Ex Prez AP J Abdul Kalam.He must have degree from Yale University like Smriti Irani has
- Sahil Prasad (@laxmi407) July 22, 2015Ms Yadav denies that she had paid posthumous tributes to the former President and missile scientist.
"There were many portraits of leaders kept at the school. Mr Kalam was was one of them. I only applied a tilak. The garland was already there," she said.
"It is wrong to suggest I garlanded the photo. Mr Kalam is a distinguished personality and a former President, everyone knows that," the minister added.
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