The 2024 Lok Sabha election season, which is reaching its final stage, was defined by controversial statements from leaders across different political parties. Among them is Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who has once again triggered a fresh political row, this time over the 1962 Indo-China war.
In a video that has been making rounds on the internet, the veteran Congress leader can be heard saying, “In October 1962, the Chinese allegedly invaded India.” The clip is from an event where Aiyar launched a book named Nehru’s First Recruits.
On October 20, 1962, the Chinese launched an attack against India which resulted in a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops. The war went on for about a month before China declared a ceasefire on November 21.
Earlier, the Congress leader stoked controversy by suggesting that India should “respect Pakistan” as it possesses atom bombs.
Aiyar apologises
Soon after his comments drew criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress leader, in a short statement, “unreservedly apologised” for “mistakenly” using the word “alleged” for the Chinese invasion.
‘Allowances must be made for his age’
Meanwhile, Congress has distanced itself from Aiyar’s comments.
Jairam Ramesh in a statement on X, said, “Mani Shankar Aiyar has subsequently apologised unreservedly for using the term “alleged invasion” mistakenly. Allowances must be made for his age. The INC distances itself from his original phraseology.”
“The Chinese invasion of India that began on October 20 1962 was for REAL. So too were the Chinese incursions in Ladakh in early May 2020 in which 20 of our soldiers were martyred and the status quo disturbed,” he added.
The leader, at the same time, blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a “clean chit” to the Chinese on June 19, 2020.
BJP hits back
BJP leader Amit Malviya said, “Nehru gave up India’s claim on permanent seat at the UNSC in favour of the Chinese, Rahul Gandhi signed a secret MoU, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation accepted funds from the Chinese Embassy and published reports recommending market access for Chinese companies, based on them, Sonia Gandhi’s UPA opened up Indian market for Chinese goods, hurting MSMEs and now Congress leader Aiyar wants to whitewash the Chinese invasion, post which the Chinese have been in illegal occupation of 38,000 sq km of Indian territory.”
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Cong’s Mani Shankar Aiyar rakes up controversy AGAIN, says China ‘allegedly invaded India in 1962’
