Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday appealed to the Delhi University Vice-Chancellor to “reinstate” the five non-teaching staff members who were suspended on charges of leaking documents related to her, following a row over her educational qualifications.
Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh appreciated Irani’s gesture, but asked her to let people know her actual qualification. As news of the suspension appeared in the media, Irani took to Twitter to issue the appeal. “In public life, one should be open to scrutiny and criticism. So am I. Since DU is an autonomous institution, I have put forth my personal appeal to the V-C to reinstate the officials,” she said.
Irani was at the receiving end of criticism by activist Madhu Kishwar and Congress leader Ajay Maken as they claimed she was not even a graduate but was manning the critical HRD ministry. Later, critics fished out two affidavits — one from the 2004 Rajya Sabha elections and the other from the 2014 Lok Sabha elections — which she had filed, saying there were inconsistencies in them. While the 2004 affidavit said she had completed her graduation course, the latest one talked about clearing only Part One.
Digvijay Singh had tweeted, “Achhe din aa gaye hein. (Good days have come). Would anyone stand up for the suspended officials of DU? 5 officials of Delhi University suspended for leaking HRD Minster’s educational qualification details! Does this Govt believe in transparency.”
After Irani’s response, he said, “Thanks Smriti for appealing to VC DU for reinstating DU officials. Now let people of this country know your actual educational qualification.”
The suspended employees — a section officer and four officials below him in hierarchy — work in the School of Open Learning section. An inquiry has been initiated against them.
Congress leader Manish Tewari asked Irani to “explain the correct position to the country” about the contradictory declarations with regard to her educational qualification. He also attacked the university for suspending the five employees.
Meanwhile, the Delhi University took a U-turn over the suspension of five employees.
On Friday, some senior DU officials had come on record to speak about their suspension.