Days after inviting controversy for saying that police action should be taken against parents for bringing their children out for walks despite the coronavirus pandemic, UT Adviser Manoj Parida is again in news, this time for being outdoor himself without a mask.
Parida on Sunday posted a photo of himself meditating at Sukhna without a mask, with the caption, “Nirvana on Sukhna.”
Nirvana on Sukhna pic.twitter.com/aV3sFFlzXe
— Manoj Parida (@manuparida1) June 7, 2020
Social media users were quick to point out that he himself did not follow the safety guidelines while he was rebuking the parents for taking their children outside. Users are also demanding prompt action against Parida, saying he should be challaned for violating the guidelines.
When a user pointed out it was not allowed to sit at the banks of Sukhna, Parida replied that he sat there only for two minutes for the photo and that it was allowed to not wear masks for 2 min for a photo or to drink water. One user then replied that perhaps masks are only mandatory for the general public not the bureaucrats.
When another follower mentioned that he was setting the wrong precedent, as the general public has been advised to stay indoors, he retorted, “How long can we avoid morning or evening walk. It is not banned. Right?”
Though Parida’s comments have often been described as rude, he says that the Twitter account is his personal account and whatever he posts on it is not an official announcement but his personal views.
