Former BJP MP Chetan Chauhan, who had played test cricket for India, has been appointed as the chairman of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), prompting sharp reactions on the social media.
Chauhan said, “I have been appointed (as the NIFT Chairman) by the Government of India and I will work to the best of my ability.”
Political parties and fashion designers questioned the decision of the Government.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the vice president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), accused the Narendra Modi Government of inducting an army of ‘sycophants’ in prestigious institutions.
Chauhan termed as “baseless” Kejriwal’s remarks and the allegation by the AAP that he was being rewarded for “shielding” Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the alleged irregularities in DDCA.
Ridiculing the decision, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said, “The Government wants to convert the National Institute of Fashion Technology into National Institute of Cricket Technology.”
Set up in 1986, the premier fashion institute, which has centres across the country, comes under the Union Ministry of Textiles.
As per the NIFT Act 2006, the chairperson of the institute’s Board of Governors shall be an eminent academician, scientist or technologist or professional, who is to be nominated by the Visitor, in this case the President of India.
Union Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar defended Chauhan’s appointment and said the NIFT board has 11 members belonging to different walks of life, including businessmen as well as designers.