No birthday party has received as much political attention as the 60th birthday of Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. Ever since it was announced that it would be celebrated in grand fashion in Panaji, the BJP and Parrikar have found themselves at the receiving end. Parrikar and the party have been accused of seeking to make merry while Chennai struggles to stay afloat after a torrential down pour that nearly submerged the city.
However, the BJP is determined to go ahead with the celebrations but in order to deflect some of the criticism has announced that public funds would not be used for the purpose. It also announced, albeit late, a Chennai relief fund. Should Parrikar celebrate his birthday privately with friends and family or have a public event? Firstly, Parrikar is a public person and his birthday is always going to be a public event, no matter how hard he or the party tries. How to chooses to celebrate his birthday is his problem and the rest of Goa can either choose to attend it, if invited, or stay away from it, but we do not have the right to tell him how to celebrate it. However, we must ensure that not a single paise of public money is spent on it and that the BJP or Parrikar pays rent due to the Sports Authority of Goa for use of the ground. Didn't we all celebrate Remo's 50th birthday on the same ground? Why have a different yardstick for Parrikar?
