Facing flak over her stand on the draft Disability Bill, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi denied making remarks that persons with mental illness cannot be given jobs in government. In a series of tweets, the Women and Child Development ministry said,

Min WCD has never commented that persons with mental illness cannot be given jobs in govt. It is clearly misinterpreted by PTI #mentalhealth
— Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) January 29, 2016
In meeting with MoSJE,Min WCD stated that definition of disabilities in the Bill must be clear as persons with Disability,Illness & Disease
— Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) January 29, 2016
Clear definition will provide clarity to stakeholders on their entitlement under the proposed 3% job reservation under the Bill #inclusion
— Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) January 29, 2016
Clear definition will also ensure that who qualifies for 3% job reservation is not left to interpretation by officials in govt. #inclusion
— Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) January 29, 2016
Gandhi, who is part of a ministerial panel to examine the proposed Bill, has been attacked on the social media by activists and those who have recovered from “mental illness”.