News channels ignored 1965 war victory event: Parrikar

Panaji, August 30

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has taken a dig at news channels, saying they are busy covering a complex murder case and ignored an event held to celebrate the country’s victory in the 1965 War.

“Indian news channels these days choose to concentrate their entire strength on a complex murder case while ignoring the commencement of golden jubilee celebration of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1965 War,” he said addressing a function organised to hand over ‘rakhis’ to soldiers here last evening.

He lauded the event held in Panaji where more than 27,000 rakhis were sent to Indian soldiers, on the occasion of ‘Raksha Bandhan’.

“Rakhi may not increase the potency of a bullet in the gun of an Indian soldier, but it will do greater things, including making an emotional difference in the mind of the soldier, which will connect him to Indian states and countless families staying there,” he said.

The Defence Minister also rued that several times people try to support anti-nationals.

“We encountered a situation in Jammu and Kashmir when a terrorist from a foreign country was arrested. The locals started pelting stones at Army personnel when he was captured,” Parrikar said. — PTI