By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 15 Dec 2014: While rejecting today’s front page report of Times of India as a “deliberate mischief” Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani has said all schools will be closed on the occasion of Christmas Day on 25 Dec.
The national English daily had said the HRD ministry “wants to celebrate the birthdays of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Hindu Mahasabha leader Madan Mohan Malviya by observing ‘good governance day’ on December 25. The BJP government wants CBSE to carry out various activities, like an essay competition, so that students’ participation increases.”
Reacting to the report, Minister Irani tweeted 9:56 am today on her handle @smritiirani: “Dear @timesofindia deliberate mischief by ur reporter on the front page today. All schools closed for XMas, essay competition only online.”
She sounded angry at the report as it was written without verification of facts from concerned authorities and sought retraction from the daily on the front page of tomorrow’s edition.
“Dear @timesofindia I wish this reporter had the decency to at least check with people frm TOI who cover d HRD beat….Or for that matter verify d same with Secretary School Education, unless the idea was to deliberately misreport.”
“@timesofindia if truth is a virtue u cherish can I c a retraction tomorrow on the front page in bold,” she tweeted and clarified that even essay completion is voluntary.
“Dear @timesofindia even the essay competition online is VOLUNTARY.”
I wish Minister comes on National TV and issues a formal denial: John Dayal
Commenting on Irani’s tweets, eminent Christian leader John Dayal said the minister should come on TV and issue a formal denial.
“Should we take this Tweet as a denial: by Union HRD Minister, Mrs. Smriti Boman Irani, on the Times of India Report about Christmas as Good Governance day with schools open and students writing essays on the Prime Minister’s pet theme of Good Governance; Personally I wish she comes on National TV and issues a formal denial,” Dr. Dayal posted on his facebook page.
