Smriti Irani

Smriti Irani (born 23 March 1976) is an Indian politician belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party. She is also a former model and television actress. She appointed the Minister of Human Resource Development on 26 May 2015.

Smriti Irani in 2012

Quotes

• Being a brand ambassador for such a noble cause is a matter of pride for me. I get to preach what I practice.
  • On being appointed the brand ambassador of VHP's Shrimad Ramayan Parichay Yojana Samiti, as quoted in "VHP takes Ramayan, Mahabharat to schools". Rediff News. 24 February 2006. 

• It was decided at the BJP National Council that Mahila Morcha wing of the party will protest against this anti-women policy of Congress-led UPA. Hence, on October 12, the anniversary of our leader Vijayaraje Scindia, Mahila Morcha will organise protests all over the country.
  • Protesting against cooking gas price hike, as quoted in "LPG cylinder price hiked, non-subsidised cylinder to now cost ₹ 921; BJP to protest on October 12". 06 October 2014. 

• 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.
  • Responding to critics saying that she is not qualified to be the Human Resource Minister, as quoted in "Smriti Irani claims she has degree from Yale University". Live Mint. 10 August 2014. 

• What I do in my personal life doesn't come under responsibility of media. I appreciate your efforts to keep me in the headlines.
  • Refusing to comment on her visit to an astrologer, as quoted in "Astrologer to Smriti Irani: You will be the President of India one day". India Today. 24 November 2015. 

• In India, I don't think any woman here is dictated what to wear, how to wear, whom to meet, when to meet....I am of the opinion, I don't think anybody is dictated here, you are not told.
  • Addressing Tina Brown, following which she was booed, as quoted in ""Smriti Irani booed for saying 'no one tells women what to wear in India'". DNA India. 20 November 2015. 

• If the BSP leader is not satisfied, I am ready to behead myself and lay my head at your feet.
  • Addressing Mayawati, on the handling of the Suicide of Rohith Vemula, as quoted in "Smriti Irani, Mayawati feud rocks Rajya Sabha". Deccan Chronicle. 25 February 2016. 

• I read it because I was asked to explain what the truth is. I said it with a lot of pain. I myself am a practicing Hindu, I myself am a Durga worshiper. These are authenticated documents from the university itself.
  • After reading a pamphlet denigrating Durga which was allegedly published by JNU students , as quoted in "'I Am A Durga Worshipper,' Says Smriti Irani Amid Apology Demands". NDTV. 26 February 2016. 

• A failed dynast today chose to speak about his failed political journeys in US. Rahul Gandhi belittled his political opponents in America. It is not surprising that a dynast has absolutely no support. The fact that Rahul Gandhi chose to belittle the Prime Minister is not surprising rather it was expected. After not getting any support within the country, Rahul Gandhi is expressing his pain in foreign land.
  • Smriti Irani on Rahul Gandhi, as quoted in "Justified in a democracy to condemn prime minister: Congress defends Rahul's remarks". ANI News. 12 September 2017. 

• The man who broke the Bank of England and is designated by the nation an economic war criminal has now pronounced his desire to break Indian democracy. George Soros, an international entrepreneur has declared his ill-intention to intervene in democratic processes of India... [Smriti Irani called upon citizens to] denounce the intention of this individual who seeks to demonise our democracy and who brings an onslaught to the economy of India so that he can personally gain... Those who Mr Soros finds pliable need to know India has defeated imperialistic design before and shall do again. Democracy has prevailed in India and will continue to do so. Designs to weaken Indian democracy will be met with might of India under leadership of PM Modi.
  • On George Soros, as quoted in "BJP Minister Slams George Soros's Remarks On PM Modi". Outlook India. 17 February 2023. 

• How could you embarrass an embarrassment? It’s an oxymoron... If you stand in the capital of India and say you support “Bharat ke tukde honge” (India will be broken into pieces), I don’t have an iota of respect for such individuals.
  • Smriti Irani (2020) on Rahul Gandhi. In interview on Times Now on May 16, 2020. Also attributed and quoted in [1]

• I am not an astrologer, but I can assure you that the BJP will form the government. If not, do you think Congress leaders who have been humiliating Hindu Gods would prostrate before them now?
  • Predicting the 2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election, as quoted in ""Am Not Astrologer, But...": Smriti Irani On Karnataka Election". NDTV. 05 May 2023. 

• Now trust me, I have left my house at Delhi in the morning at 4 today, I caught a flight at 5 to go to Kochi, I did a conclave there, caught a flight at 5 to come to this programme, by the time I get to anything called food, it will be 10’ O Clock. If you’ve called me at any time of the day today from Gallup and asked, ‘Are you hungry’, I’ll say, Oh yes, I am.
  • Rejecting India's 111th rank on the 2023 Global Hunger Index, as quoted in "I am also hungry: Smriti Irani rejects India's poor score on Global Hunger Index". The Telegraph (India). 

• Which gay man, without a uterus, has a menstrual cycle?
  • After being asked if the proposed menstrual hygiene policy contained provisions for the LGBTQIA+ community, "'Which Gay Man Has A Menstrual Cycle?' Smriti Irani Justifies Her Reply To Manoj Jha's Query In Rajya Sabha". Deccan Herald. 23 December 2023. 

Quotes about Smriti Irani

• Smriti Irani's comment on Rahul Gandhi that 'ghar par ladka hai par lad nahin sakta' (There is a boy at home who cannot fight) is wrong. Being a woman, such a statement is incorrect. Instead, she should encourage women by saying that they should fight for themselves.
  • Priyanka Gandhi, as quoted in "As woman, such comment is wrong: Priyanka slams Smriti Irani over 'ghar par ladka' remark on Rahul Gandhi". India Today. 17 November 2021. 

• We have named Smriti Irani as Cylinder Cindrella as when the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led UPA government was in power at that Smriti Irani used to hold protest demonstrations by carrying LPG cylinder on slight increase in LPG but now she seems to be ignorant about the LPG price and is maintaining a silence.
  • Alka Lamba, as quoted in "Smriti Irani is 'Cylinder Cinderella' who is silent on rising prices of LPG: Alka Lamba". Times of India. 16 September 2022.