Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar vows not to speak to media for 6 months

 Often in news for his off-the-cuff and controversial statements which have invited criticism and ridicule, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said he will not speak to the media for six months.

"I will not speak to the media for six months," he shot back at a journalist, who sought his comments on some defence- related issues. Parrikar, a former Goa Chief Minister who was appointed Defence Minister in November last year, was here to lay foundation stone of a hospital building. The Defence Minister refused to entertain any question related to his portfolio, including his recent reported statement that the Indian Army's importance has diminished because the country hasn't gone to war in the past 40 to 50 years.

His earlier comments like "terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists", "deep assets" being "compromised" by some former Prime Ministers, Ganesh idols made in China having smaller eyes and his off-the-cuff remark on "population and atom bomb" have been pilloried in various circles.