‘Kuch Toh Log Kahenge…,’ Smriti Irani, Textile Minister, Says With A Smile

Smriti Irani wore a smile as she took charge as Textiles Minister on Wednesday afternoon and laughed away questions on why she has been shifted from the more high-profile Education Ministry, quoting from a popular Hindi film song.

“Kuch toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna (People will speak, it’s their wont to speak),” the 40-year-old TV actress-turned-politician said about the barrage of questions she has faced on why she was shifted out of the Human Resource Development Ministry in Tuesday’s mega cabinet reshuffle.

Her new assignment is viewed as a demotion and critics are listing what they allege she did wrong in her two-year tenure as HRD or Human Resource Development minister, which was marked by controversies, including several student agitations on university campuses.

Ms Irani countered that by detailing the work she has done and reminded naysayers that she has now been handed a ministry that is “the second largest employer in the country after agriculture.”

“I am grateful the Prime Minister gave me the opportunity to work in this sector. Hope it will facilitate growth, I hope to give weavers full support,” the new Textiles Minister said.

As she took charge, her Twitter profile was updated to read Union Cabinet Minister of Textiles, Government of India. Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha representing the state of Gujarat. A new picture of Ms Irani has been added too.

In a series of tweets this morning, she wished her successor Prakash Javadekar luck. Mr Javadekar, who was singled out for promotion to cabinet rank in Tuesday’s reshuffle, visited Ms Irani at her Delhi home and praised her work.

“I came here to meet Smriti Irani. We discussed a lot of things. All the good initiatives will be carried forward,” Mr Javadekar said after his 20-minute meeting with Ms Irani.

Prakash Javadekar, who will take charge of the HRD Ministry tomorrow, told NDTV earlier today that his experience of having participated in student agitations in his younger days will help him address the issues at the core of the recent clashes in universities.