Smriti Irani (born Smriti Malhotra) is an Indian politician, and former model, television actress and producer. She is a Member of Parliament, being elected to the Rajya Sabha from Amethi.[1]
Smriti Malhotra was born to a Bengali mother, Shibani Bagchi, and a Punjabi-Maharashtrian father, Ajay Kumar Malhotra. She is the eldest of 3 sisters.
She has been a part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from childhood as her grandfather was an RSS swayamsevak and her mother was a member of Jana Sangh. She did her class 12 from Holy Child Auxilium School in New Delhi. Later, she enrolled in School of Open Learning at University of Delhi.
In 2001, Smriti married a Parsi businessman–Zubin Irani. Smriti declared her religion as Parsi [2]. In October the same year, the couple had their first child, a son Zohr. In September 2003, the couple had their second child, a daughter Zoish. Both her children are practicing Parsis.
As someone married to a Parsi and practising Zoroastrian faith, there were restrictions to praying at the city’s fire temples. “Since I have ensured both my children are practising Zoroastrians and have completed their Navjote, they can pray in a fire temple. But I have to personally stand on the road or sit in my car outside the temple. When I took my newborn son to a temple, I had to give him up my husband at the gate. I was shooed away and told not to stand there. But even then I understand, I have a right to pray but I don’t have a right to desecrate,” Ms. Irani said, when asked what was her opinion and the government’s on the Sabarimala judgement.[3]
She once also said, ““As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. I respect that stand by the Zoroastrian community/priests and do not approach any court for a right to pray as a mother of 2 Zoroastrian children.” [4]
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Smriti Irani (former Smriti Malhotra, Hindu) married to Zubin Irani (Parsi) | a | Wedding | It is not clear if they had one or both weddings and how the marriage was registered | b | Converted? | Smriti has claimed her religion as Parsi but also stated she is a practising Hindu | c, d, e | Childen | Her children have Zoroastrian names and are raised Parsi | b | Rating for Equality | 4 (out of 10 being 100% a marriage of equality) Smriti has changed religion and raised children in only father’s faith. However, in practice, she appears to be a proud Hindu |
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