Interestingly, this is not the first instance of Mani Shankar Aiyar expressing dissatisfaction with former PM Narasimha Rao. Over the years, Aiyar has frequently blamed Rao for the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Mani Shankar Aiyar, a prominent and outspoken Congress leader known for his provocative statements, has once again stirred controversy. On Wednesday, August 23, Aiyar accused former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao of being “communal.” He went on to label Rao as the “first BJP Prime Minister” of the country.
Aiyar made these remarks during the official launch of his book titled “Memoirs Of A Maverick: The First Fifty Years (1941-1991)” on Monday, August 21. During the event, Aiyar claimed that he learned about the alleged communal nature of former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao during a 44-day-long Ram Rahim Yatra from Rameshwaram to Ayodhya in 1992.
Aiyar shared that PM Rao had summoned him from Bhubaneswar to Delhi in 1992. He mentioned that Narasimha Rao had conveyed that he had no objection to Aiyar’s Ram Rahim Yatra, but he took issue with Aiyar’s interpretation of secularism. Aiyar revealed that Rao’s comments left him taken aback, and he inquired what was wrong with his understanding of secularism. In response, PM Rao reportedly told Aiyar that he needed to recognize that India is a Hindu nation. Aiyar recounted that he returned to his seat, muttering. He told PM Rao that this was the same stance held by the BJP, to which Rao did not respond, allowing Aiyar to continue with his yatra.
In a conversation with an ABP reporter, Aiyar reiterated his criticism of the former Prime Minister, suggesting that Narasimha Rao did not handle the Babri Masjid issue in accordance with Congress principles. Aiyar alleged that Rao listened to Lal Krishna Advani and consulted numerous saints for advice, ultimately stating that even in ancient India, kings consulted sages and sadhus.
Interestingly, this is not the first instance of Mani Shankar Aiyar expressing dissatisfaction with former PM Narasimha Rao. Over the years, Aiyar has frequently blamed Rao for the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.
In 2011, Aiyar made similar claims, asserting that Narasimha Rao was accountable for the Babri Masjid demolition due to its occurrence during his tenure.
In 2016, during the launch of Vinay Sitapati’s biography of Narasimha Rao, titled “Half Lion: How Narasimha Rao Transformed India,” Aiyar reiterated his stance. He asserted that Rao, as the Prime Minister at the time, should have imposed President’s rule against the Kalyan Singh government in Uttar Pradesh, given the gathering of Karsevaks at Ayodhya. He claimed that even though Governor Satyanarayan Reddy had informed the Prime Minister about the satisfactory law and order situation in the state five days before the Babri structure’s demolition, Rao failed to take action.
It’s notable that, according to Mani Shankar Aiyar, Narasimha Rao was labeled “communal” primarily due to his reference to India as a Hindu nation. Aiyar maintains that India is a secular country, implying that the Babri Masjid should have remained in place, irrespective of its construction over the remains of a Hindu temple, at the birthplace of Lord Rama. Interestingly, Aiyar garners more attention and “appreciation” in Pakistan than in India.
It’s also worth noting that despite being a senior leader of the Congress party and a former Prime Minister, Rao faced disrespect even in death. Disliked by Sonia Gandhi, Rao was not accorded a state funeral. Sanjay Gandhi, who led controversial initiatives during the Emergency, received a state funeral and a samadhi in Delhi.
Aiyar Advocates for India-Pakistan Dialogue
During his book launch, Aiyar also discussed India-Pakistan relations and called for the resumption of dialogue between the two nations. He stressed that India’s diplomatic approach should leverage the goodwill of the Pakistani people. Aiyar mentioned that previous Prime Ministers attempted some form of dialogue with Pakistan before Narendra Modi’s time.
He further stated that the ongoing freeze in dialogue doesn’t affect Pakistan’s military but rather the common people, many of whom have relatives in India and a desire to visit. Aiyar argued that Pakistanis do not view India as an enemy nation and are an asset to India. However, historical realities suggest otherwise.
Interestingly, Aiyar has consistently expressed his affinity for Pakistan. In 2018, during a visit to Pakistan, he lauded Pakistan’s diplomatic approach toward India and criticized India’s policies towards Pakistan. He blamed India for halting bilateral talks between the two countries. It’s worth noting that the Modi government has taken a firm stance against Pakistan’s state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. In 2016, PM Modi remarked in the context of the Indus Water Treaty that “blood and water cannot flow together.”
