Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has had his share of gaffes since his elevation as the central government minister. His comments have often been dubbed as illogical by his political opponents and prolific social media users.
On Thursday, Parrikar once again became a subject of social media conversation just when the country was enjoying the Republic Day parade from Rajpath in Delhi. Moments later, the photo of India’s defence minister visibly dozing off, once again, went gone viral.
What was even more embarrassing was that the video of Parrikar dozing off was broadcast live by India’s national broadcaster Doordarshan, which was broadcasting the Republic Day event.
Parrikar could be seen dozing off just when Lakshdweep’s tableau was passing by the dignitaries.
Parrikar was sitting among visiting dignitaries from the UAE as this year Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade.
This is not the first time Parrikar has been found sleeping during a public event. In December 2014 (see below), the defence minister had allegedly dozed off with open mouth during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make In India speech.
Last year, Parrikar had allegedly fallen asleep during Modi’s live address prompting social media users to conclude that his action was due to ‘boring’ Independence Day speech of the prime minister.
Here are some Twitter reactions on Parrikar dozing off during the Republic Day function;
तेज़ बहादुर रोता है, रक्षा मंत्री सोता है। pic.twitter.com/pHOGTkNElC
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) January 26, 2017
It's #RepublicDay for d Nation??
But it's bed-time for the Defence Minister @manoharparrikar ??
r u watching? @ZeeNews @abpnewstv @TimesNow pic.twitter.com/4vyMeh945f— Ann Nadar#WithRG (@Aneela_7) January 26, 2017
Manohar Parrikar became 1st ever Defence Minister of India to sleep during Republic Day on #26thJanuary Parade 2017! #SleepingBeautyParrikar pic.twitter.com/DK05l3A8Q0
— Samar (@Samar_Anarya) January 26, 2017
Def Min @manoharparrikar taking a power nap,day dreaming another surgical strikes during #RepublicDay parade! Plz Do not disturb him! pic.twitter.com/jwBAcc7LDs
— Ashfaque Nabi (@AshfaqueNabi) January 26, 2017
Good night folks….have many rallies to address tonight in Goa….let me sleep for now…??? https://t.co/5krpsRwj4i
— ASHUTOSH MISHRA (@ashu3page) January 26, 2017
@jitenderkhalsa Dreaming about Goa CMship which is elusive now ?????
— Amit C (@amitc17) January 26, 2017
@jitenderkhalsa now if any other minister of AAP or Congress or TMC would be sleeping then news channel would be running the same whole day
— Captain Tsubasa (@cpt_t88) January 26, 2017
Manohar Parrikar Spotted Sleeping.
— Zaalim Anna (@ZaalimAnna) January 26, 2017
Has anyone just seen a sleeping Parrikar in the VIP enclosure? @sardesairajdeep @ShekharGupta @ShivAroor @manupubby_ET
— Digvijoy Sen (@digvijoy78) January 26, 2017
#RepublicDay Another first. Defence Minister Parrikar dozing.
— Krazdo (@ColKatoch) January 26, 2017
Parrikar is dozing off. Any moment now he will sleep. #RepublicDay
— Bradley D’souza (@BradleyDsouza) January 26, 2017