"It's the choice I made and they bear consequences": Union Minister Smriti Irani on her family being dragged into politics
Dec 21, 2023
New Delhi [India], December 21 : Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday spoke on the consequences that her children have faced because of her decision to join politics.
In an interview during the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Smriti Irani said that the kids went through a lot and it's a choice that she made and they bear the consequences of it.
"They went after a 16-year-old girl, to destroy a child because they couldn't handle the attack from the mother. My Kids went through a lot and I don't talk about them anymore in public because even when I was minister of education I remember Maths paper was very tough in the 10th board exam. My son was appearing for it. They surrounded him and said ki tumhari mummy ne paper set kiya hai (Your mother has set the paper). So you don't talk to your kids about politics but you know the consequences and the price they pay. It's a choice I made and they bear the consequences of it," Smriti Irani said.
She further said that her dad who had been ideologically opposite wanted to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for once and say thank you.
"My Dad left an active contribution to politics when Rajeev Gandhi died. I Have seen him literally weep. Now for the man who had politically, and ideologically been on the opposite side of the fence, to say I want to see Modi once. He said to PM "I wanted to meet you to say thank you." My father said I have seen how the country was perceived as internationally," she added.
Further, praising PM Narendra Modi, Union Minister Irani said that when she had come into politics, one of the greatest achievements in that age was to be handpicked by PM Modi.
"I am the one living example of how benevolent, genuinely forgiving and pragmatic the PM is as a human being. Much is said about him as the administrator. I think this whole angle to his persona of being this tough administrator, there is a sight to him as a human being that is not often spoken about. Many people don't encourage that conversation because it breaks the myth that they tried to create that this is the man who is driven by ambition and doesn't have the heart in the right place. I have seen him worrying about his colleagues, his seniors, juniors, and their families. The PM can very well say that I don't have time today," she added.
Responding to recent Controversy on Menstrual cycle leave, Smriti Irani said "The Gentleman who asked the question never intended to find a solution for Women. Because if you look at part 3 of the question, the LGBTQIA community, member wanted a response for which gay man without a Uterus has a menstrual cycle. So the question was intended either to shock or to provoke or to attract attention."
