MARGAO: AICC Secretary Girish Chodankar has strongly condemned Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for being abusive and arrogant with young journalists at a press conference during Pandurang Madkaikar joining the BJP and using vulgar language on editors at another BJP function at Sattari Goa.
Chodankar demanded with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Parrikar immediately, and show respect for media freedom and democracy. The AICC secretary was speaking at a press briefing at Margao.
He said, “It was but natural that media would ask questions about Parrikar’s earlier statements that Mauvin Godinho and Pandurang Madkaikar are the most corrupt politicians and using it for his political growth, while he was embracing them now. Using offence as a defence and shutting down the voice of free press with arrogant behaviour is not a democratic act but a clear sign of fascist attitude,” Girish said adding, “It is unfortunate that the defence minister cannot defend the fundamental duties and rights enshrined in the Constitution.”
Chodankar also condemned the vulgar language used by Parrikar at BJP function at Sattari, where Parrikar had reportedly advised “those who ‘blabber needlessly’ to take-off their clothes and dance naked to get publicity.”
Girish said, “the defence minister of the country cannot use such vulgar language against the editors.”
