Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has triggered a fresh controversy after he said that "India should give respect to Pakistan as it has atom bomb".
In an interview that has gone viral now, Aiyar says, "India should give respect to Pakistan as it has an atom bomb! If we don't give them respect, they'll think of using an atom bomb against India. India showing muscular policy should not forget that Pakistan also has muscle (atom bomb) at Kahuta (Rawalpindi)," as quoted by news agency IANS.
Congress leader's remarks drew flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The saffron party accused the Congress of maintaining close ties with Pakistan. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on Aiyar's remarks on India's relations with Pakistan. Accusing the Congress of maintaining close ties with Pakistan, he said, "Despite Pakistan's involvement in terrorist activities against India, Aiyar talks about respecting them." He asserted that Aiyar's remarks exemplify Congress' ongoing affinity toward Pakistan, a nation known for harbouring and supporting terrorists targeting India.
The BJP spokesperson said, "Congress' 'Pakistan prem' doesn't seem to stop. Mani Shankar Aiyar who is close to the 'first family' is displaying the muscle and strength of Pakistan on behalf of Congress party. He says that Pakistan should be respected and talks should be held with them - the same Pakistan that keeps sending terrorists to our country...Now, when incidents like Pulwama take place, a befitting reply is given...Today, Pakistan keeps pleading on international platforms to spare them...Look at the list of Congress - how they first received support from Pakistan, a clean chit was given to Kasab in 26/11, the language of Pakistan was spoken by uttering the words 'Indian Administered Kashmir'...now 'Congress ka haath' is being seen with 'Pakistan ke saath'. This is another example of the same."
On Mani Shankar Aiyar remarks, BJP MP and party's candidate from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat Ravi Kishan said that he should get himself treated. "At this time Pakistan is collecting foodgrains for itself. They are facing a food crisis...Mani Shankar Aiyar should get himself treated somewhere. This is not the India of Congress. Now, India is very powerful. This is the India of PM Modi," he said.
Slamming Aiyar, BJP leader Major Surendra Poonia posted on X, "Mani Shankar Aiyyar is batting on behalf of ISI and wants India to sit in lap of Pakistan ! Why Congressis have so much love for Pakistan it’s in their SYSTEM."
Aiyar's statement comes soon after the resignation of Congress overseas chief Sam Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, whose statements have embarrassed the grand old party.
Whatever He Says Is His Personal Opinion: Congress Distances Itself From Aiyar's Remarks
On recent statement of Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Pakistan, Congress candidate from North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat, Udit Raj said, "Mani Shankar Aiyar doesn't hold an official position. So, whatever he says is his personal opinion. Congress has no such stand. Congress is not speaking anything on it."
Aiyar's Past Controversies
Aiyar is also no stranger to controversy. He has been regularly making statements in favour of Pakistan and against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2015, Aiyar, during a panel discussion with a Pakistani anchor said that PM Modi has to be removed. "The first and the foremost thing is to remove Modi. Only then can the talks move forward. We have to wait for four more years… Bring us back to power and remove them," as quoted by IANS.
Recently, Aiyar took potshots at the Modi government during an event in Lahore. He said: "We have the courage to conduct surgical strikes against you, but we don't have the courage to sit across the table and talk."