Manohar Parrikar, Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister, on Tuesday praised the leadership of Indira Gandhi. He said despite being taught a good lesson by the former Prime Minister in 1971, Pakistan was none the wiser.
Mr. Parrikar was speaking at a joint function to observe Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and Rashtriya Sankalp Diwas in Panaji. “Indira Gandhi gave the country good leadership. In 1971, she taught our enemy on the western border a good lesson, but Pakistan is still not getting any wiser.”
The India-Pakistan war of 1971 led to the liberation of East Pakistan and eventually led to the formation of Bangladesh. The Rashtriya Sankalp Diwas is observed to mark the death anniversary of Gandhi, while the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel.
Mr. Parrikar further said that the ongoing debate over standing up for the national anthem makes him sad. He said making anti-national comments had become a fashion today. He said people who spoke against the country were being considered intellectual.
Mr. Parrikar said, “Today, there are many problems confronting the country. I had made a mention the other day, anyone who speaks against the country is sometimes considered as one with great intellect, smart and elite. Speaking against the country has become a fashion.”
He recalled that he read about a decision a few days ago, which said that there was no problem if one does not stand up when the national anthem is being played.
