After taking an apparent jibe at actor Aamir Khan for his 'Intolerance' remark, Defense Minister, Manohar Parrikar clarified that his statement wasn't targetted at a specific person and but hinted at those who don't "respect the country".
The minister claimed that he didn't take any names while putting his point across.
However, his remark has caused a stir among the Twitteratti who slammed the minister left, right and centre.
@manoharparrikar justifying vigilante mobs targeting @aamir_khan ? Disappointing from the defence minister of India.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 31, 2016
Full credit to @manoharparrikar amazing honesty to admit that "smart teams" attacked @snapdeal & @aamir_khan GOI supports attack on citizens
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) July 31, 2016
.@manoharparrikar's statement proves a concerted conspiracy to curb all dissent, hound Dalits & Minorities. Can this be the 'Raj Dharma'?
— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 31, 2016
#AamirKhan had rejected his wife's view on intolerance in IE interview itself. Sad #Parrikar used the language of "teaching him a lesson".
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) July 31, 2016
Dayum! It tuk #ManoharParrikar 9 Mnths 2 respond 2 a statement made by #AamirKhan in Nov'15 Wel guys he is d "#defenceMinister" #justsaying
— Hari Iyer (@theDrunkFudge) August 1, 2016
Is @manoharparrikar job to protect India from external aggressors like Pakistan or threaten fellow countrymen like actor Aamir Khan?
— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 31, 2016
Shocking revelation by @manoharparrikar that BJP supporters actively disrupted, sabotaged Snapdeal on Aamir Khan issue. Scandalous!
— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 31, 2016
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised him.
RSS & Parrikarji want to teach everyone a lesson. Here's a lesson for you: hate is the preserve of the coward and it never wins
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) July 31, 2016
#AamirKhan had rejected his wife's view on intolerance in IE interview itself. Sad #Parrikar used the language of "teaching him a lesson".
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) July 31, 2016
Been a fan of Manohar Parrikar but Aamir Khan made a statement in November 2015. As a Defense Minister shouldn't your response be quicker?
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) July 31, 2016
Manohar Parrikar is priceless. He calls Chinese intrusion a "transgression" but outrages over an innocuous 8 month old remark by Aamir Khan
— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) July 31, 2016
Manohar Parriker's irresponsible comments on @aamir_khan need to be condemned in the strictest terms.Manufactured propaganda Must End!!!!
— Faridoon Shahryar (@iFaridoon) July 31, 2016
China is our FDI friend & Modi loves to swing with them #AamirKhan exposes us nanga : #ManoharParrikar https://t.co/Q8EF4aoezN
— NoUllooBanoing (@NoUllooBanoing) August 1, 2016
TRUE or FALSE ?!#AamirKhan #ManoharParrikar pic.twitter.com/6EQ3k1uYp3
— sangeeta mehra (@sango20) August 1, 2016
cutie #manoharparrikar just nullified trend #MannKiBaat ,give him the
Sandaas ministry #ModiAndMadhuri #AamirKhan https://t.co/jO2r4IE5wZ— Amar Akhbar Anthony (@amarakhbaranth1) July 31, 2016
#ManoharParrikar rakes up the long forgotten incident about #AamirKhan's statement.
— Anamika Nandedkar (@meg123nandu) July 31, 2016
#ManoharParrikar doesn't have guts to teach Vijay Mallya but talking about Amir khan . Idiot
— Khushi डरपोक मोदी (@khushi3424) July 31, 2016
Defence Minister indeed. Full time defence of the divisive Hindutva ideology. #ManoharParrikar
— Ajith (@ajith27) July 31, 2016