Latest news with #ManiShankarAiyar
Hans India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Cong must rein in loose-talking leaders; put party on right path
The Congress seems rudderless—a ship adrift in the choppy waters of Indian politics. It became evident, as the top brass had to reprimand its senior leaders to not make controversial or insensitive remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack that left dozens murdered and the entire nation shocked and angry. For instance, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that there's no need for war. Another senior Congress leader and former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said that 'the unresolved questions of the Partition reflected in the terrible tragedy... in Pahalgam on April 22.' Senior party leader from Kashmiri Saifuddin Soz made an even more offensive remark, urging us to accept Pakistan's 'word' that 'it was not involved in Pahalgam.' Naivety soared to new heights. All this at a time when people all over the country cutting across communal and caste lines are seething with anger over the barbarity of jihadists at Pahalgam! In a damage control exercise, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh tweeted: 'Some Congress leaders have been speaking to the media. They speak for themselves and do not reflect the Congress' views.' But the damage has already been done. The GOP's inability to present a cohesive front on the Pahalgam tragedy has exposed disarray and divisions within its ranks. This gave the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party another handle to beat the grand old party with. Senior BJP MP and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, 'Do Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have no control over their party? Or did both of them make pro forma comments while letting others speak as they wished? When the world is with India after the terror strike, be it the US, France, or Saudi Arabia, these leaders are making such shameless and irresponsible remarks.' This latest episode underscores a critical challenge for the Congress: the urgent need for disciplined internal communication and a coherent, principled stand on matters of national security. In a country where terrorism has repeatedly caused pain and suffering, such issues cannot be treated lightly or be left open to the whims of individual leaders. National security must transcend political affiliations and be addressed with seriousness, consistency, and unity. The Congress leadership must realize that it cannot afford to let its leaders indulge in loose talk, especially on issues as critical and sensitive as national security. Every word spoken by a senior party leader carries weight, not only in domestic discourse but also in the international arena. Irresponsible or poorly timed statements can undermine the nation's unity, embolden adversaries, and weaken India's diplomatic stance. The stakes are too high for casual remarks or personal interpretations of grave national threats like terrorism. However, the control of rhetoric and consistency in response can only be achieved if the Congress, as a party, has clarity over its fundamental approach to national security. This clarity, in turn, must be grounded in a coherent and contemporary political philosophy—one that reconciles the Congress's legacy of non-alignment and peaceful diplomacy with the harsh realities of modern-day geopolitics and asymmetric warfare. A mature political ideology must be able to distinguish between advocating peace and appearing weak or ambivalent on matters of sovereignty and security. What the party needs is direction, discipline, and a renewed sense of responsibility—before it's too late.
Economic Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Nothing changed in Congress, still shielding terror ecosystem: BJP's retort to Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks
The BJP on Sunday came out strongly against the Congress over veteran leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's comment on the Pahalgam tragedy, accusing it of shielding the "terror ecosystem" and showing "love for Pakistan". Congress leader and former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, during a book release event here on Saturday, wondered whether the April 22 terror attack in the verdant tourist spot of Baisaran that left 26 dead, was a result of "unresolved questions of the Partition". ADVERTISEMENT The BJP saw this as the latest in a string of reprehensible and disparaging comments by Congress leaders and their kin. There was no immediate reaction from the Congress to the BJP's hard-hitting remarks. Reacting sharply to Aiyar's comments, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, in a post on X, said, "Good Cop, Bad Cop -- Congress's appeasement continues even on the Pahalgam Terror Attack!" "After Robert Vadra and Siddaramaih, now Mani Shankar Aiyar refuses to blame Pakistan and the terrorists!" he said, adding, "Nothing has changed in Congress since 26/11 still shielding terror ecosystem, still showing love for Pakistan. Earlier, Siddaramaiah's "not in favour of war" and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's businessman husband Robert Vadra's suggestion that non-Muslims were attacked in Pahalgam as terrorists feel Muslims are being "mistreated" in the country, even as they denounced the terror attack, had drawn flak from all quarters. The BJP was sharp in its attack against Vadra, accusing him of using the language of terrorists and demanding his apology. ADVERTISEMENT The most recent was Aiyar's remark that the question posed to the country earlier and faced today was whether Muslims in India felt accepted, cherished and celebrated. "Many people almost prevented Partition, but it happened because there were differences in value systems and assessments of the nature of India's nationhood and its civilisational inheritance between people like Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Jinnah and many other Muslims who did not agree with Mr Jinnah. ADVERTISEMENT "But the fact is that the Partition happened and till today we are living with the consequences of that Partition. Is this how we should be living? Is that the unresolved questions of the Partition reflected in the terrible tragedy... in Pahalgam on April 22," he had said while condemning the attack. Bhandari visited Haryana on Friday and met the family of Lt Vinay Narwal. The photo of the navy officer's body lying on the ground in the lush Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam with his newlywed wife slumped beside it with an empty gaze has become the haunting symbol of the ghastly attack. ADVERTISEMENT After meeting the family, the BJP spokesperson said that Pakistan would have to pay dearly for the loss of innocent lives in the attack. "I visited the family of martyr Lt Vinay Narwal -- a braveheart who was killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in Pahalgam. No words can ease the pain of his wife Himanshi Narwal and his grieving family, but let it be known: India will not forgive!" he said in a post on X. ADVERTISEMENT "Pakistan will pay for every drop of tear, every drop of blood, every innocent life lost as PM Narendra Modi ji said 'Mitti main mila denge' (will raze them to the ground)," Bhandari added. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
NDTV
27-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Mani Shankar Aiyar Links Pahalgam With "Partition's Unresolved Issues". BJP Responds
Quick Take Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. BJP criticised Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for linking the Pahalgam terror attack to "unresolved issues of Partition", calling it insensitive. The BJP also accused the Congress of appeasement towards Pakistan and failing to address terrorism's roots. New Delhi: Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has come under attack from the BJP over his comments that the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists was a manifestation of "unresolved questions of the Partition." The BJP said Mr Aiyar's comment was like "rubbing salt into the wounds of the Pahalgam attack victims." BJP leader Nalin Kohli, in a swipe at Mr Aiyar, pointed out the Congress leader is questioning the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his policies. "He is a very senior and seasoned political leader. He had been, for decades, a staunch Congressman and had held important positions... When he refers to problems of terrorism and refers it back to 1947 and unresolved issues as he calls it, in a way, it is an honest confession that in 1947 several things were unresolved. In a manner, he is raising questions against Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and his policies," Mr Kohli told news agency ANI. #WATCH | Delhi: On the statement of former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, BJP leader Nalin Kohli says, " Mani Shankar Aiyar is a very senior and seasoned political leader. He had been, for decades, a staunch Congressman and had held important he refers to... — ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2025 At a book launch event, the Congress leader asked whether Muslims in India felt accepted, cherished and celebrated today, or whether the situation remained the same as it was during the Partition. "Many people almost prevented Partition, but it happened because there were differences in value systems and assessments of the nature of India's nationhood and its civilisational inheritance between people like Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Jinnah and many other Muslims who did not agree with Mr Jinnah," Mr Aiyar said. "But the fact is that the Partition happened and till today we are living with the consequences of that Partition. Is this how we should be living? Is that the unresolved questions of the Partition reflected in the terrible tragedy... in Pahalgam on April 22," he said. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, condemning Mr Aiyar for his comments, pointed at the Congress as the one that should be held responsible for the tragedy of Partition. "Pakistani terrorists have brutally murdered unarmed, innocent civilians. The funeral pyres of the victims have not even cooled, and yet Congress leaders continue to display their affection for Pakistan. This is the height of appeasement," Mr Chugh said. "Partition was a catastrophe in India's history; two million people were killed and 20 million were displaced. The Congress is responsible for that tragedy. Mani Shankar Aiyar's statement is like rubbing salt into the wounds of the Pahalgam attack victims," he said. Another BJP leader said Mr Aiyar's comment was yet again an example of the Congress party's unwillingness to call out Pakistan for its support to terrorism. "Good Cop, Bad Cop - Congress's appeasement continues even on the Pahalgam terror attack. After Robert Vadra and Siddaramaiah, now Mani Shankar Aiyar refuses to blame Pakistan and the terrorists. Nothing has changed in Congress since 26/11 - still shielding the terror ecosystem, still showing love for Pakistan," BJP national spokesperson Sandeep Bhandari said in a post on X. Since the terror attack on Pahalgam, India has taken many steps to hurt Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and cancelling the visas of all Pakistani nationals, apart from trading halt.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP slams Congress over Mani Shankar Aiyar's Pahalgam remark: Nothing changed in party, still shielding terror ecosystem
The BJP on Sunday mounted a strong offensive against the Congress after senior leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's controversial remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack , accusing the opposition party of shielding the "terror ecosystem" and showing "love for Pakistan ." Mani Shankar Aiyar's comment sparks outrage At a book release event held on Saturday, Aiyar reflected on the April 22 terror attack in the verdant tourist spot of Baisaran, Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. He wondered if the tragedy was linked to "unresolved questions of the Partition," suggesting that the divisions that led to India's partition in 1947 continue to have consequences today. "Is that the unresolved questions of the Partition reflected in the terrible tragedy... in Pahalgam on April 22?" Aiyar said. He further questioned whether Muslims in India today feel 'accepted, cherished and celebrated,' noting that differences in value systems among leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, and others had led to Partition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo While Aiyar condemned the attack, his comments were interpreted by the BJP as an attempt to rationalize or shift blame away from Pakistan and terrorist groups. BJP hits back: 'Congress still shielding terrorists' Reacting sharply, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said on X, 'Good Cop, Bad Cop, Congress's appeasement continues even on the Pahalgam Terror Attack! After Robert Vadra and Siddaramaiah, now Mani Shankar Aiyar refuses to blame Pakistan and the terrorists!' Bhandari accused the Congress of not changing its mindset even after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and continuing to "shield the terror ecosystem" while expressing "love for Pakistan." The Congress, at the time of reporting, had not issued an official response to the BJP's attack. Earlier controversies over Siddaramaiah, Robert Vadra's comments Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks come in the backdrop of earlier controversies involving Congress leaders. Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah recently said he was "not in favour of war" while commenting on the Pahalgam tragedy, a statement that BJP leaders seized upon as a sign of weakness. Robert Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also drew heavy criticism after suggesting that non-Muslims were attacked because terrorists believe Muslims are being "mistreated" in India, even as he condemned the attack. The BJP slammed Vadra for "using the language of terrorists" and demanded an apology, accusing the Congress of consistently underplaying Pakistan's role in such attacks. Emotional symbol: Lt Vinay Narwal's tragic death Adding an emotional layer to the political battle, BJP's Pradeep Bhandari on Friday visited the family of Lt Vinay Narwal, a young navy officer who was among those killed in the Pahalgam attack. A heart-wrenching photograph of Lt Narwal's body lying in the Baisaran meadows with his newlywed wife Himanshi Narwal slumped beside him has become the haunting symbol of the tragedy. After meeting the grieving family in Haryana, Bhandari posted on X, "No words can ease the pain of his wife Himanshi Narwal and his grieving family, but let it be known: India will not forgive!" He further added, "Pakistan will pay for every drop of tear, every drop of blood, every innocent life lost, as PM Narendra Modi ji said, 'Mitti mein mila denge' (will raze them to the ground)."
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress continues to shield terror ecosystem: BJP slams Aiyar's comment on Pahalgam attack
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Sunday came out strongly against the Congress over veteran leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's comment on the Congress leader and former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, during a book release event here on Saturday, wondered whether the April 22 terror attack in the verdant tourist spot of Baisaran that left 26 dead, was a result of "unresolved questions of the Partition." The BJP saw this as the latest in a string of reprehensible and disparaging comments by Congress leaders and their kin. There was no immediate reaction from the Congress to the BJP's hard-hitting remarks. Reacting sharply to Aiyar's comments, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, in a post on X, said, "Good Cop, Bad Cop -- Congress's appeasement continues even on the Pahalgam Terror Attack!" "After Robert Vadra and Siddaramaih, now Mani Shankar Aiyar refuses to blame Pakistan and the terrorists!" he said, adding, "Nothing has changed in Congress since 26/11 still shielding terror ecosystem, still showing love for Pakistan. Siddaramaiah's The BJP was sharp in its The most recent was Aiyar's remark that the question posed to the country earlier and faced today was whether Muslims in India felt accepted, cherished and celebrated. "Many people almost prevented Partition, but it happened because there were differences in value systems and assessments of the nature of India's nationhood and its civilisational inheritance between people like Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Jinnah and many other Muslims who did not agree with Mr Jinnah. "But the fact is that the Partition happened and till today we are living with the consequences of that Partition. Is this how we should be living? Is that the unresolved questions of the Partition reflected in the terrible tragedy ... in Pahalgam on April 22," he had said while condemning the attack. Bhandari visited Haryana on Friday and met the family of Lt Vinay Narwal. The photo of the navy officer's body lying on the ground in the lush Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam with his newlywed wife slumped beside it with an empty gaze has become the haunting symbol of the ghastly attack. After meeting the family, the BJP spokesperson said that Pakistan would have to pay dearly for the loss of innocent lives in the attack. "I visited the family of martyr Lt Vinay Narwal -- a braveheart who was killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in Pahalgam. No words can ease the pain of his wife Himanshi Narwal and his grieving family, but let it be known: India will not forgive!" he said in a post on X. "Pakistan will pay for every drop of tear, every drop of blood, every innocent life lost as
