By ‘Parivar’, Sitharaman Meant Ex-Servicemen: MoD Clarifies

The MoD clarified controversial remarks made by the Defence Minister to Kodagu’s district in-charge minister.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Karnataka Minister Sa Ra Mahesh on Friday, 24 August, were seen in a heated exchange of words over her itinerary during a visit to the flood-hit Kodagu district.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

The Union Ministry of Defence has issued a clarification on Saturday, 25 August, after there was a controversy over a remark Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made at a press meet in flood-hit Kodagu district of Karnataka. She made the comment during a verbal spat with Kodagu district in-charge minister Sa Ra Mahesh over her scheduling.

The clarification said that when Sitharaman mentioned the word “parivar”, she had meant the parivar of ex-militarymen that she was meeting, and not any other parivar, as many had been speculating.

The Ministry of Defence further claimed that Mahesh had made certain ‘personal’ remarks against Sitharaman which had also lowered the dignity of Rajya Sabha and showed “utter lack of regard” and knowledge about the Indian Polity.

It said the remarks made against Sitharaman by Mahesh were also in "bad taste," and do not merit a response.

Press statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.(Photo: Twitter/ @DefenceMinIndia)

“One of the four departments of the Ministry of Defence is the Department of ex-servicemen welfare and in that context it was stated that all ex-servicemen are part of the Ministry of Defence’s 'parivar',” the statement clarified.

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED

On Friday, 24 August, Sitharaman was seen losing her temper and rebuking Kodagu’s district minister in-charge Sa Ra Mahesh over what is being termed “confusion over Sitharaman’s itinerary”.

Sitharaman and Mahesh were caught arguing on camera about her schedule minutes before a press conference was scheduled to take place, during which she made comments as if to suggest that State ministers were subordinate to ministers from the Centre.

I am following your minute-to-minute programme, minister. The Central minister follows the minister in-charge here... Unbelievable!

Nirmala Sitharaman told Sa Ra Mahesh

Sitharaman also drew flak for referring to her ‘parivar’ when she was caught on camera sternly addressing Mahesh as part of the verbal altercation, “If officials are important, my parivar (family) is also important.”

THE REACTION

Karnataka ministers did not take Sitharaman’s insinuation that the State ministers are subordinate to the Centre kindly, and launched a defence of their colleague on Friday.

Dr G Parameshwara, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, dubbed Union Minister Sitharaman’s action ‘disappointing’ and said that state governments derive their power from the Constitution, not the Centre.

“Madam @nsitharaman, our ministers have stayed back in Kodagu for weeks to oversee relief operations along with district administration. You should extend to them for the help from your end. It was disappointing to see you lash out at my colleague,” read the deputy chief minister’s tweet.

Speculation was rife regarding Sitharaman’s ‘parivar’ comment, with some suggesting it was a reference to the Sangh parivar.

Sitharaman on Friday visited many relief and rehabilitation camps in the area, including one of the Seva Bharti camps run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS, NDTV reported.

THE DEFENCE

Accusing the district in-charge minister of Kodagu, Sa Ra Mahesh, of making personal remarks against Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the statement mentions that Mahesh insisted that Sitharaman immediately stop her interaction with ex-militarymen and proceed for a meeting with the officials.

WHAT THE CM SAID

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday, 26 August praised Sitharaman for the help she extended for rescue operations.

In a Facebook post, Kumaraswamy said, "I am deeply pained at the turn of events with regard to the visit of Hon'ble Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman to the flood-affected areas in Kodagu district."

The government, along with the relief agencies of both the state and the central governments besides the volunteers were working day and night for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit citizens with support from the Union Government, he said.

Regretting the inconvenience caused to the Defence Minister, Kumaraswamy said it was ‘unfortunate’ that such an incident occurred despite the government and the district administration following the protocol even during the tough situation in the region during her visit.

"I believe this is the time for all of us to forget the small differences and forgive each other and join hands for the rehabilitation of the flood affected people in Kodagu.

The grave situation in the district warrants it," he said.

"Let us not colour such incidents and be distracted from our key focus. I look forward to the continued support of the central government and in particular of the Hon'ble Defence Minister," Kumaraswamy added.