A rather unusual and slightly humorous incident involving Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unfolded on Saturday, July 20, 2025, during his official and religious visit to Gujarat. What began as a packed day of temple visits and government engagements soon turned into a memorable episode due to an unexpected oversight.
Chouhan was on a day-long tour to Gujarat, where his schedule included visits to the Somnath Jyotirlinga temple and Gir National Park in Junagadh. Apart from these religious commitments, he also had official engagements such as a visit to the Peanut Research Centre, where he interacted with agricultural experts, and a meeting with beneficiaries of the Lakhpati Didi scheme. His itinerary was tight, with a planned flight from Rajkot scheduled for around 8 PM.
The Union Minister was visibly conscious of time throughout the day. He frequently checked his watch and kept his public interactions brief. During one of his speeches, he mentioned the poor condition of the road to Rajkot and remarked that he hoped to return soon for a more relaxed visit. The pressure to stay on schedule was evident.
In the midst of the rush to catch his flight, Chouhan made an unexpected mistake—he departed Junagadh with his full 22-vehicle convoy, forgetting that his wife, Sadhna Singh Chouhan, was still waiting for him at the government rest house. She had returned from her own religious visit to Girnar and was unaware that the convoy had already left.
Approximately ten minutes into the journey, Chouhan realized his wife had not joined the convoy. In a swift and decisive move, he ordered the entire convoy to turn around and head back to Junagadh. The vehicles returned to the waiting house, where he picked up his wife, and then the couple proceeded to Rajkot together to board their flight.
The incident highlighted the often-overlooked human side of political life—how tight schedules and official responsibilities can sometimes result in unexpected slip-ups. Despite the potential embarrassment, Chouhan’s quick response to rectify the situation showed attentiveness to his family responsibilities. The episode went viral on social media, with many users reacting humorously and sharing lighthearted takes on the incident.
In the end, what could have been a stressful misstep turned into a widely discussed moment of relatability, offering a glimpse into the juggling act that even senior politicians face between public duty and personal life.
