Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera landed in controversy when a video of a man holding his shoes during the Republic Day celebration in Keonjhar went viral on social media.
An unidentified man was seen holding the shoes of the Minister, who hoisted the National Flag at Keonjhar. The man was placing the shoes near Behera’s feet after the latter hoisted the Tricolour. Behera, in his reaction, stated that as a mark of respect to the National Flag, he had taken off his shoes while hoisting the flag. Nobody held his shoes,” he told reporters.