Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar turned 60 on Sunday and a public celebration was organised by the BJP in Goa. (PTI photo)
If someone really wants to stay safe, they should not take VIP security cover, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday.
At a function in Panaji organised by the Goa unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party to celebrate his birthday, Mr Parrikar said he often pleads with policemen guarding him to keep distance from him.
"I can say one thing with guarantee, if one really wants to be safe, then there is no point of taking VIP security cover," he said.
The former chief minister of Goa said that VIP movements were relayed in advance and those who really want to know where a VIP was heading at a particular point of time would know beforehand.
"Because on wireless, they keep repeating the movement of Goa 1, Goa 2, Goa 3. And once it is relayed over the wireless, if someone wants to do something, they know beforehand that Goa 2 is going to a particular place. Goa 2 is the chief minister. Goa 1 is the governor and Goa 3 is the deputy chief minister. Those who have their ears open, know all this," Mr Parrikar said.
The defence minister also said he keeps telling police personnel who provide him with security cover to keep distance, but that they stick to their jobs because "if someone attacks the defence minister, it becomes international news".
"Now and then, I plead with the policemen to not come close to me. I don't need it (security). They fear that if something happens to me, then their jobs will go. If someone attacks a defence minister, it becomes international news," he said.