Smriti Irani objects to Bihar education minister addressing her as `Dear’

Law Kumar Mishra

Patna : Union HRD minister Smriti Irani, who had objected to being addressed as Dear by Bihar  education minister Ashok Chaudhury, was shown black flags by National Students Union of India (students wing of Congress) workers at Bhagalpur, where she had gone to participate in BJP organised Vikash Parva to mark two years of NDA government at the  Centre.

Ashok Chaudhury is also president of Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) . Bihar deputy chief minister Tejeshwi Yadav also addressed the union minister as Dear Madam. But, Smriti did not object to it. Her objection  was to Ashok Chaudhury calling her as Dear Smriti Irani. Later in the day, Chaudhury apologised to Irani and claimed she was addressed as Dear Smiriti Irani as mark of respect to the visiting minister.  Irani and  Choudhary were on Tuesday  locked in a war of words over the latter addressing her as “dear”.

“Dear@smritiraniji, when will we get new Education policy..? when will year 2015 end in your calendar..?” Choudhary wrote in his twitter account.

But, the use of the word “dear” did not go down well with the Union HRD Minister. “Mahilaon ko ‘dear’ keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji?” Irani replied in her tweet message.

Choudhary answered to her objection by another message

“Not to disrespect but educate…Professional email start with “dear”. Kabhi mudde pe jawab dijiye, don’t circle around it,” Chowdhary replied.

“@AshokChoudhaary all my communications to you or any other person start with ‘adarniya’, but since you are now communicating allow me 1/3,” Irani said in another tweet.

On the  query of Chaudhury  about the new education policy, she replied “@AshokChoudhaary have not received state views on education policy neither did you in your 1 on 1 meeting with me give any suggestions 3/3.”