As Twitter trolls Smriti Irani, here is the bigger picture behind her shift from HRD to Textiles

Keeping in view the upcoming state assembly election in Uttar Pradesh, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday expanded his Cabinet with 19 new faces, including several dalit and OBC leaders, and dropped five existing ministers.
 
This is the second expansion of the council of ministers since Modi government came to power in May 2014.

The shocker came in late night on Tuesday, when High profile Smriti Irani was shifted from the key Human Resource Development  (HRD) ministry to less significant Textiles portfolio and replaced by the newly elevated Cabinet minister Prakash Javadekar after cabinet expansion and reshuffle.

Irani's departure from the HRD comes during a crucial time when the New Education Policy is underway. The move also follows the recent altercation between HRD ministry and PMO over 13 provisions of the draft regulations for setting up 20 institutions of global standards. The "world-class universities" project was one of the biggest announcements in the education sector this year.

The two also had differences over the IIM Bill. The PMO had virtually blocked the cabinet approval for the bill because the HRD Ministry did not relent to two changes proposed for it.

At the same time, Irani found herself in the middle of the Rohit Vemula and JNU controversies that stirred trouble. She is also the first education minister under whom two central university vice-chancellors were sacked for alleged financial and administrative irregularities.

While the reasons for Irani being shifted out remain unclear, many believe she has been given less significant ministry for her to focus more on the UP elections.

Whatever may be the case, the Twitter wasn't kind to Irani, who recently found herself trolled on her retort to a minister's 'dear' remark as well.

The Youth Congress obviously had had to say something about this:

The next generation will be now much relaxed that their future isn't as bleak #ByeByeSmriti

- Youth Congress (@IYC) July 6, 2016

 

Advertisement

 

 

Many were glad over Irani's drop as they felt she was ineffective.

First education reform in two years by Modi Govt #ByeByeSmriti

- vimal tyagi (@vimaltyagi61) July 6, 2016

 

 

 

Many took a shot at PM Modi for his move.

#ByeByeSmriti Modi has followed an age old tradition of India,snatched book and gave a sewing machine to a woman.

- PRAVEEN DUTTA (@PraveenDutta) July 6, 2016

 

 

 

The twitter trolls of her as Textile Minister saw many jokes about how she would handle this protfolio.

Preview of Future of textile in country Since now we have @smritiirani at helms of Textile Ministry #ByeByeSmritipic.twitter.com/2L0i31mp5A

- Jayrajsinh Mori (@jayrajmori) July 6, 2016

 

 

 

Finally, made jokes about how she was better off an actor.

Textile ministry for Smriti Irani..Now she can print the best saaris for the serials she will do after 2019.

- MadUnelectableBrumby (@brumbyOz) July 5, 2016