Nothing offensive in using 'dear' for lady: Ashok Choudhary on Twitter war with Irani

Clarifying his stand on the bitter Twitter war with Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani, Bihar's Education Minister Ashok Choudhary on Tuesday said he had put forth his views in a 'dignified' manner and was surprised that the Minister took offence to the word 'dear' being used in tweets.

Irani was irked at the salutation 'dear' used for her in Chaudhary's tweet.

"I have tweeted and asked "dear Smriri Irani ji when is the education policy going to come". That is because Smriti Irani ji had herself said that it would come in 2015. Why she got irked by this, I do not know. I had asked her with utmost dignity and honour," Choudhary said.

The conversation between Irani and Bihar minister over 'the new education policy' and later grew into a huge debate after a string of messages were exchanged.

Irani hit back at the Bihar minister, tweeting, "@AshokChoudhaary mahilaon ko 'dear' keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji?"

Chaudhary maintained that there was nothing wrong in using the salutation 'Dear' for women.

"There doesn't seem to be anything disrespectful in this. Despite that if she is hurt then, since we are Congress workers and we believe in unity, I apologise to her. We do not believe in politics of hatred," he said.

"There is nothing offensive about the word 'dear'. Some days back even she has used the word 'dear' in her tweet. I do not think word 'dear' should be offensive to any women," he added.

Smriti's anger over the use of the word 'dear' offended the Twitteratis who slammed Smriti for getting offended over the 'petty' issue.