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Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Amit Shah claims Nehru bid ‘bye bye to Assam' during 1962 war: What former PM said, in what context
Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (July 29) accused former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of bidding goodbye to Assam during the 1962 war. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Operation Sindoor debate, Shah addressed Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, saying, 'Gogoiji has been saying a lot of things…do you know what he [Nehru] did to Assam? He waved bye bye to Assam on Akashvani…There is a recording of this.' This is not the first time the BJP has used Nehru's 1962 radio address to claim that Nehru had virtually surrendered Assam to China during the war. Last year, at an election rally in Lakhimpur, Shah had said, 'During the Chinese aggression of 1962, Nehru had said 'bye-bye' to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. People of these states can never forget that.' In March 2024, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had written in The Indian Express, 'When Jawaharlal Nehru, as a Prime Minister abandoned Assam amidst the 1962 Indo-China war while claiming his heart went out to the people of Assam, Prime Minister Modi repeatedly called the region Ashtalakshmi and Bharat's growth engine.' What exactly did Nehru say in the radio address, and did he bid 'bye bye' to Assam? What did he say about the 1962 war in Parliament? What was his remark about not a blade of grass growing in Aksai Chin? We explain. The 1962 war lasted for barely a month, from October 20 to November 21. China invaded India from two sides, in the west around the Ladakh region and in the east in the Northeast Frontier Agency (today's Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam). On both fronts, its victories were swift and decisive. It managed to capture the strategically crucial Tawang (in the present Arunachal Pradesh), and advanced further. It was in this context that Nehru addressed the nation on November 19, 1962, in Hindi. The 'heart goes out to Assam' line goes thus, 'Is waqt kuch Assam ke upar, Assam ke darwaaze par, dushman hai, aur Assam khatre mein hai. Isliye khas taur se hamara dil jata hai hamare bhai air bahinon par, jo Assam mein rehtein hain, unki hamdardi mein, kyunki unkon taqleef uthani pad rahi hai…Hum unki poori madad karne ki koshish karenge aur karenge, lekin kitni bhi hum madad karein, hum unko taqleef se nahin bacha lenge is waqt. Haan, ek baat ka hum pakka irdada rakhtein hain…hum is baat ko aakhiri dum tak chaleyenge jab tak Assam aur sara Hindustan bilkul dushman se khaali na ho jaaye,' [Selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru, Volume 79]. The translation from the Selected Works, of a larger section of the speech, is, 'Huge Chinese armies have been marching in the northern part of the North East Frontier Agency and we have suffered reverses at Walong, on the Sela Ridge and today Bomdila — a small town in NEFA has also fallen. In the North also in Ladakh, in the Chushul area, the Chinese have been attacking fiercely, though they have been held. Now what has happened is very serious and very saddening to us and I can well understand what our friends in Assam must be feeling because all this is happening on their doorstep, one might say. I want to tell them that we feel very much for them and that we shall help them to the utmost of our ability. We may not be able always to succeed in what we are trying now because of various factors and of the overwhelming numbers of the Chinese forces, but I want to take a pledge to them, here and now, that we shall see this matter to the end and the end will have to be victory for India.' Thus, the speech asserts that the government would drive the enemy out of Assam, and when the PM spoke of his heart going out, he was acknowledging the troubles the people of Assam would have to suffer. Aditya Mukherjee, retired Professor of Contemporary History and Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Study, JNU, told The Indian Express, 'To read Nehru's 1962 AIR speech as 'bidding goodbye to Assam' does not stand scrutiny. While it is a stretch to read 'my heart goes out' as abandoning Assam, the rest of the speech makes it clear that Nehru was determined to fight for every inch of Indian land. The speech does not show any intention of surrendering, instead, it shows a resolve to keep fighting a difficult fight.' Nehru's comments on the war on other occasions Nehru spoke about the 1962 war multiple times in Parliament, giving information and answering the Opposition's questions even when the fighting was on. The speeches have the common theme of not surrendering to the enemy. For example, in Parliament on November 19, 1962, after giving details of the defeats suffered by the Indian Army, Nehru said, 'I should like to add that in spite of the reverses suffered by us, we are determined not to give in in any way and we shall fight the enemy, however long it may take to repel him and drive him out of our country.' Amit Shah Tuesday also said that Nehru gave 'non-serious' replies in Parliament, citing as example his comment about not a blade of grass growing in Aksai Chin. Nehru's Aksai Chin remark was made in August 1959, before the India China war, and he had clarified it in Parliament. Here's that exchange [(Jawaharlal Nehru: Selected Speeches, Volume 4]. Speaking about Chinese incursions into Ladakh, Nehru said in Lok Sabha, 'When we discovered in 1958, more than a year ago, that a road had been built across Yehcheng in the north-east corner of Ladakh, we were worried. We did not know where it was. Hon. Members asked why we did not know before. It is a relevant question, but the fact is that it is an uninhabitable area, 17.000 feet high. It had not been under any kind of administration. Nobody has been present there. It is a territory where not even a blade of grass grows. It adjoins Sinkiang.' Jaswant Singh later said, 'The Prime Minister stated a little while ago that this portion of Ladakh is absolutely desolate and unfertile and that not even a blade of grass grows there. Even then, China is attaching importance to the area and is building a road there. I would like to know, when China is attaching so much of importance to this desolate bit of land, why, when the territory is ours or is under dispute even, do we not attach any importance to it?' Nehru then replied, 'I talked only about the Yehcheng area, not about the whole of Ladakh… Presumably the Chinese attach importance to this area because of the fact that the route connects part of Chinese Turkestan with Gartok-Yehcheng.'
News18
10 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
'Learnt Humility From Him': Kanimozhi Objects To BJP's Mention Of Manmohan Singh In Op Sindoor Debate
Kanimozhi asked the BJP to learn "humility" from Manmohan Singh, saying the former PM apologised to the nation following the 26/11 attacks DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Tuesday launched an attack on the BJP after its ministers and lawmakers accused former PM Manmohan Singh of not taking any action after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a special debate on Operation Sindoor, Kanimozhi asked the BJP to learn 'humility" from Manmohan Singh, saying the former PM apologised to the nation following the 26/11 attacks. She then questioned the government and asked who would take responsibility for the Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were shot dead. 'This year, there was an attack in Jaipur.. In Pulwama, they brought 240 kgs of RDX. We don't have any answers. Every time there is an attack, you say it will not happen again. What had the Vishwaguru learnt? You have not even learnt humility. When the Mumbai attacks happened, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came in front of the media and apologised to the nation and said this should not have happened, and we should have prevented it. Learn humility from him; he is no more. Who will take responsibility for what happened to people in Pahalgam? Innocent tourists believed you, trusted you and went there thinking it was a safe place," he said. Taking a jibe at the BJP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the DMK MP said, 'You remember Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru more than Congress. A man who was so powerful that he changed history. And even till today, he is so powerful that he is responsible for every mistake you make." In his speech, Shah said PoK exists only because of Jawaharlal Nehru. '…Yesterday, they (Congress) were raising questions about why there was no war… Today, PoK exists only because of Jawaharlal Nehru… In 1960, they gave 80% of the Indus waters to Pakistan… In 1971, during the Simla Agreement, they (Congress) forgot to ask about PoK. If they had taken PoK then, we would not have to carry out attacks on camps there now," he said. BJP Govt Failed People: DMK MP The DMK leader said that the MPs' delegations were sent for the global outreach of Operation Sindoor because the central government had failed the people. 'We had to go on these delegations (MPs delegation on Operation Sindoor global outreach) because peace had failed us, and you (central govt) had failed the people of India… For the first time, the BJP has shown some confidence in the Opposition, and they sent us out as leaders of (MPs) delegations to represent this country. I thank them. But also, I would like to say, if the opportunity to lead these delegations had not arisen, then we would have been happier and more grateful…Today, the Home Minister in his speech only intended to blame the Opposition…Today, it has become a blame game. Today, the Home Minister in his speech only intended to blame the Opposition," she said. (With inputs from agencies) view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 16:51 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Even Congress doesn't remember Nehru as much…': Kanimozhi vs Amit Shah in Lok Sabha during Op Sindoor debate
Kanimozhi Karunanidhi of the DMK on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party during the special discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, accusing the ruling party of turning the debate into a political blame game instead of focusing on national unity. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi speaking in the Parliament.(HT File) Taking a swipe at the BJP for frequently invoking former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Kanimozhi said, 'Even the Congress doesn't remember Nehru ji as much as you do. But I want to thank you for that — because of you, people in Tamil Nadu have gone back to reading about Periyar and Ambedkar, and people everywhere have returned to reading Nehru.' She added, 'Today, young students all over the world are finding out about Nehru Ji — a man who was so powerful that he changed history. And, even till today, he is so powerful that he is responsible for every mistake you do.' Parliament Monsoon Session - Track live updates here Kanimozhi was speaking after Union home minister Amit Shah traced history back to India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, as he criticised successive Congress governments for an alleged lack of strength in their foreign policy, particularly towards Pakistan. Criticising the government's response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the Opposition's alleged sidelining in matters of national interest, Kanimozhi said, 'We had to go on these delegations (MPs delegation on Operation Sindoor global outreach) because peace had failed us, and you (central government) had failed the people of India.' The DMK MP, however, acknowledged the government's move to involve Opposition MPs in international delegations post-Operation Sindoor but added a pointed remark, 'For the first time, the BJP has shown some confidence in the Opposition, and they sent us out as leaders of (MPs) delegations to represent this country. I thank them. But also, I would like to say, if the opportunity to lead these delegations had not arisen, then we would have been happier and more grateful.' Taking a further dig at Amit Shah's speech in Parliament, she said, 'Today, the home minister in his speech only intended to blame the Opposition. Today, it has become a blame game.' Hitting back at the BJP's criticism of the Opposition's past conduct, Kanimozhi reminded the House of the UPA government's response to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, 'You have not even learnt humility; Prime Minister during the 2008 Mumbai attacks apologised to the country.' What did Amit Shah say? 'Today, China is in the United Nations Security Council, and India is not,' Amit Shah said, referring purportedly to permanent membership of the UNSC. "Jawaharlal Nehru's stand is responsible for this... When our jawans were facing Chinese soldiers in Doklam, Rahul Gandhi was holding a meeting with the Chinese ambassador... This love for China has passed down three generations from Jawaharlal Nehru, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi..." Shah alleged. 'PM Narendra Modi is trying his best to get India to become a part of the UN Security Council,' he added. He said during the 1962 war with China, 'then PM Nehru bid goodbye to Assam in a speech on Akashvani (state radio)'.
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First Post
12 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
China in UNSC and India out due to Nehru's stand on US proposal: Amit Shah in Parl
Speaking in the Lok Sabha in the debate on Operation Sindoor, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has blamed Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, for India's absence in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). read more Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks during a debate in the Lok Sabha on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, at the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi. PTI Union Home Minister Amit Shah has blamed Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, for China's presence in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and India's absence from it. Speaking in the Lok Sabha in a debate on Operation Sindoor, Shah said, 'Today, China is a part of UN Security Council, but India is not… PM Modi is trying to get this corrected… the reason behind India not being included in the UNSC is Jawaharlal Nehru's stand.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For a long time, critics of Nehru have maintained that he had received an offer from the United States of permanent membership of the UNSC but he had rejected it. China's permanent membership of the UNSC has allowed it to veto India's agenda at the UN, such as the designation of Pakistan-based terrorists. More from India All 3 Pahalgam attackers killed in Operation Mahadev: Amit Shah tells Parliament Shah further said that Pakistan's continued occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir is a result of Nehru's failures in the war of 1947-48. 'If POK exists today, it is due to Jawaharlal Nehru's ceasefire. The blame lies with Nehru. In 1960, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel opposed this decision. In 1960, we were strong on the Indus waters, but after the Indus Waters Treaty, we gave 80% of the water to Pakistan,' Shah said. Shah further criticised the then-Indira Gandhi government for not asking for the return of the Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) in the return of 93,000 Pakistanis taken as prisoners after winning the 1971 war.
Mint
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Congress slams Amit Shah on Nehru remarks, says, ‘Home Minister learns his history from a middleman-turned-politician'
Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during the second debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Congress leader Pawan Khera took a sharp dig, saying Shah 'learns his history from a middleman turned politician.' In a post on X, Khera said, "Home Minister learns his history from a middleman turned politician. Here is the truth of Nehru ji and the so called US offer to India of UNSC membership. In September 1955, Nehru stated categorically in the Lok Sabha: 'There has been no offer, formal or informal, of this kind… The composition of the Security Council is prescribed by the UN Charter, according to which certain specified nations have permanent seats. No change or addition can be made to this without an amendment of the Charter.' Earlier in the day, Shah said, 'Today, China is in the UN Security Council, and India is not. Modi ji is trying his best to get India to become a part of the UN Security Council.' He further noted, 'Jawaharlal Nehru's stand is responsible for our jawans were facing Chinese soldiers in Doklam, Rahul Gandhi was holding a meeting with the Chinese love for China has passed down three generations from Jawaharlal Nehru, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi…' Shah criticised the Congress party, stating, 'Yesterday, they were questioning why there was no war... Today, PoK exists only because of Jawaharlal Nehru.' 'In 1960, they gave 80% of the Indus waters to 1971, during the Simla Agreement, they (Congress) forgot about PoK. If they had taken PoK then, we would not have to carry out attacks on camps there now,' the BJP leader added. Shah informed that those who killed our citizens in the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack have been killed. "In a joint Operation Mahadev, the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police have neutralised three terrorists who were involved in the Pahalgam terror attack," Shah said while addressing the lower house of Parliament. "Innocent civilians were killed in front of their families by asking their religion. I condemn this barbaric act. I express my sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones," he said. On Monday, the three terrorists were killed in Operation Mahadev in an intense firefight with security forces in the Harwan area near Dachigam National Park of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. (This is a breaking news)
