New Delhi: Smriti Irani created a flutter of controversy over her statement on a “degree from the University of Yale”. Smriti later defended the statement saying it was “misconstrued” and that she was unable to control the buzz on social media.
"Unfortunate that the statement re my participation in a leadership programme and certificate thereafter was misconstrued," she tweeted on Monday.
The youngest minister in the Modi's cabinet has had to defend her academic background ever since she took over as Education Minister, especially after contradictory declarations in her election affidavits in 2004 and 2014. The BJP leader said she should be judged from what she delivers as a minister.
During an event on Saturday, Smriti Irani gave way to controversy when she piped, "In that kitty of mine where people call me 'anpadh' (illiterate) I do have a degree from Yale University as well which I can bring out and show how Yale celebrated my leadership capacities."
An official spokesperson of her ministry clarified on Monday night that Irani got a "certificate" for her participation in a Yale University program.
The 38-year-old was among 11 MPs who participated in a six-day leadership programme at the Yale campus in New Haven, Connecticut, in June last year. The course was introduced eight years ago, and more than 80 MPs from India have participated since.
A clarification has given Irani no respite from the twitter storm after she described her certificate as a "degree".
