Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar recently sparked a political controversy by stating that China “allegedly invaded India” in October 1962. This remark, made during the launch of the book Nehru’s First Recruits at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Delhi, drew sharp criticism, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused Mani Shankar Aiyar of attempting to revise historical events.
The BJP’s IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, condemned Mani Shankar Aiyar’s statement, describing it as “a brazen attempt at revisionism.” Amit Malviya further criticized the Congress party’s historical stance on China, citing various instances where he claimed the Congress had undermined India’s position.
In response to the backlash, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted that Mani Shankar Aiyar had “subsequently apologised unreservedly for using the term ‘alleged invasion’ mistakenly.” Jairam Ramesh suggested that allowances should be made for Mani Shankar Aiyar’s age and emphasized that the Congress party has distanced itself from Mani Shankar Aiyar’s initial phrasing.
Mani Shankar Aiyar himself issued a statement clarifying his remarks, admitting that the term “alleged” was inappropriate, particularly in the current political climate. He acknowledged that the Chinese invasion of India in October 1962 was a well-documented historical event and expressed regret for his choice of words.
This incident is the latest in a series of controversial statements made by Mani Shankar Aiyar. Earlier this month, he called for India to respect Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, warning that failure to do so could have serious consequences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both criticized Mani Shankar Aiyar’s comments, reiterating that the Indian government does not fear Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.
In a related incident in February, Mani Shankar Aiyar described Pakistanis as the “biggest asset of India” and advocated for improved communication channels between the two nations. This, too, drew significant criticism and prompted the Congress party to distance itself from Mani Shankar Aiyar’s views.
Amid the controversy, Jairam Ramesh also criticized Prime Minister Modi for allegedly giving a “clean chit” to China following the incursions in Ladakh in May 2020. He highlighted the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and the strategic implications of the ongoing territorial disputes.
Mani Shankar Aiyar’s remarks and the subsequent reactions underscore the sensitive nature of historical and geopolitical issues in Indian politics, as well as the broader implications for party positions and electoral strategies.
