Mani Shankar Aiyar controversy updates: Congress suspends him from party; BJP calls action an eyewash

Congress suspends Aiyar from party; BJP calls action an eyewash

#BREAKING 1st on CNN-News18 | Mani Shankar Aiyar is very close to Gandhi family, he is made MP, after some days he’ll be brought back: @gvlnrao, BJP, tells @zakka_jacob on #FaceoffAt9 after Mani Shankar Aiyar is suspended from @INCIndia | #SibalManiSelfGoal pic.twitter.com/KPf8c1idde

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 7, 2017

BJP leader Rajyavardhan Rathore compiles list of abuses hurled at Modi by Congress leaders

Some choice insults thrown by various Congress leaders at @narendramodi ji over the years.

They simply CANNOT digest the rise of ordinary people from humble backgrounds, can they?

It's almost a class war between @BJP4India and Congress.#ManiShankarAiyar pic.twitter.com/yh0N7BV4sm

— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 7, 2017

Omar Abdullah backs Rahul Gandhi on action against Aiyar, says Congress VP handled neech fiasco like a leader

If anyone had doubts about Rahul’s willingness to take quick & decisive action today should put those doubts to rest. He has handled the #Neech fiasco like a leader.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 7, 2017

Yogi Adityanath condemns Aiyar’s remarks

#ManiShankarAiyar's remark is shameful, we condemn it. Using such words for PM is an insult of India & its people, they must apologize or people of Gujarat will teach them a lesson: UP CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/BZeBNoh8bB

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 7, 2017

Maharashtra BJP leader files case against Aiyar for his remark 

Maharashtra BJP leader files case against Mani Shankar Aiyer in Ahmednagar for his Neech Aadmi remark, India Today TV reported.

Congress asks BJP will it dare to follow suit?

Intemperate comments by politicians are not unheard of. All parties have been at the wrong side of the debate once in a while. However, the Congress party says it has taken the first step. 

Speaking to India Today, Congress Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said that levels of politicking have been lowered, adding that his party has taken the first step. He asked that whether the BJP would dare to follow suit. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala also tweeted a similar challenge to the BJP.

Congress suspends Aiyar from party, sends him showcause notice 

यही हैं कांग्रेस का गांधीवादी नेतृत्व व विरोधी के प्रति सम्मान की भावना।

कांग्रेस पार्टी ने श्री मनी शंकर अय्यर को कारण बताओ नोटिस जारी कर प्राथमिक सदस्यता से निलम्बित कर दिया है।

क्या मोदी जी कभी यह साहस दिखाएँगे? https://t.co/h6MEgvm6Ca

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 7, 2017

‘Never called Modi chaiwallah, didn’t know meaning of nalayak’: Aiyar defends past intemperate remarks

Mani Shankar Aiyar was asked some obvious but unpleasant questions after today’s controversy, and the Congress leader obliged with a response. 

On the question of calling Narendra Modi a chaiwallah (tea-seller) in 2014, Aiyar said he never used the word chaiwallah and the video evidence of same is available. 

On a past incident from 1998 when he called then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee a nalayak (incompetent), he said he used the word thinking nalayak was an antonym of layak, but Hamid Ansari later enlightened him on the usage of the pejorative Hindi language word.

Not the first time Aiyar courted controversy

Mani Shankar Aiyar is no stranger to controversy. He has in the past too, invited backlash for his rather intemperate remarks. Here are some of those instances. 

• Elections didn’t happen in Mughal time: In trying to defend the dynast tag on his party, Aiyar had created another controversy just day’s ago. When Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the post of Congress president, Aiyar had said,  “When Shah Jahan came in the place of Jahangir did any election happen? And when Aurangzeb came in place of Shah Jahan did any election happen? It was known to everyone that the throne of the king will automatically go to the heir."
• Chaiwallah jibe : Aiyar, commenting on Modi’s beginnings as a tea-sller had said that he can never become a PM in 21st century, but  if he wishes to sell tea, they can make some space for him there. Many believe that Aiyar’s ‘chai-wala’ barb that came just ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls helped the then BJP prime ministerial candidate a great deal as he often referred to it in his campaign to highlight his humble background and attack the Congress.   
• Calling Vajpayee nalayak : Aiyar had in 1998 called then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee a nalayak (worthless or useless). At that time too, he had used a similar defense, saying he did not quite understand the import of Hindi words. 
• Haafiz Saeed Saab: Aiyar had once called LeT founder and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed as ‘Saab (sir).’

Mani Shankar Aiyar ’neech’ comment on Narendra Modi puts BJP on firm footing

​Just hours ago before the campaigning for the first phase of polling for the Gujarat Assembly concluded on Thursday has senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar handed BJP a victory?

Modi deftly used Aiyar’s fulminations to effectively turn the tide and position himself along with the OBC, Dalits and tribals.

Obviously, Modi’s formulation had the desired impact. Addressing a large gathering at Nilgiri ground in Surat in the last lap of the campaign for the first round of polls, Modi seemed in complete control of the situation.

Twitter users react to #NeechAadmi controversy

#ManiShankarAiyar
Continue with your Philanthropic Attitude. Making your opposition job to Win people's heart n mandate easily.Poor RaGa.

— Dibakar (@DibakarParida) December 7, 2017

A cartoonist’s take on Aiyar’s remark

As Mani Shankar Aiyar’s remark made headlines, twitter erupted in witty retorts. #ManiShankarAiyar and #Neech were the top two trends at the time of writing this update. 

#ManiShankarAiyar scores another self-goal with #NeechAadmi jibe... pic.twitter.com/tCAeWauYeu

— Neelabh (@NeelabhToons) December 7, 2017

Ravi Shankar Prasad lauds PM’s ‘polite’, ‘sensible’ response, says Aiyar has darbari mindset

Mani Shankar Aiyar has called our PM 'neech' but we are proud of our Prime Minister, he has answered (Mani Shankar Aiyar) very politely & sensibly. Aiyar's mindset is a 'darbaari' one: Ravi Shankar Prasad pic.twitter.com/XLc3T1Ryp3

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017

A recap on who said what on the controversy

• Rahul Gandhi – BJP too uses filthy language but this is not Congress’ culture. I expect him to apologise.  
• Narendra Modi – Comment shows their Mughlai mindset. They have called me neech, gadheda, gandi naali ka keeda and what not but let them be. Give them an answer in polls. 
• Mani Shankar Aiyar –  Hindi not my first language, I did not know word neech could be interpreted with caste connotations. I apologise for that. Did not mean to refer to PM’s caste. 
• Amit Shah –  Neither shocked nor surprised at comments shows his party’s anti-poor, anti-Dalit, anti-Tribal mindset. This is an insult to entire Gujarat.

Neither shocked nor surprised at Aiyar’s comments, shows his party’s mindset: Amit Shah

Neither shocked nor surprised by Mani Shankar Aiyar’s referring to PM as ‘Neech.’ This is the culture of the Congress Party. People of Gujarat will punish anti-poor, anti-Dalit, anti-Tribal and anti-OBC Congress.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 7, 2017

This insult is Gujarat’s insult: Modi

​

“They have called me gadheda (Donkey), gandi naali ka keeda (dirty worm), neechi jaati ka (low born), neech (lowly). This insult is Gujarat’s insult or not? But let them keep calling me ‘Neech’ we will not respond. We do not have this mindset and want to congratulate them for theirs. If anything- we will answer them for their mindset with our votes on 9th and 14th,” Modi said.

Amit Shah recalls list of jibes taken against PM, says ‘we wish them well’

Yamraj
Maut Ka Saudagar
Ravan
Gandi Nali Ka Keeda
Monkey
Rabies Victim
Virus
Bhasmasur
Gangu Teli
Goon
These are some words or phrases Congress has used for PM @narendramodi in the past. Not much has changed. We wish them well. We will continue to serve 125 crore Indians.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 7, 2017

Congress strategy to use filthy language against PM, shows there mindset: Arun Jaitkey

Senior BJP leader and Union minsiter Arun Jaitley hit out at Aiyar for his personal comments against the prime minister. 

It is not just a matter of filthy language but of Congress' mindset which says that only one family can rule this country and if someone from the weaker section becomes PM then they call him 'chaiwala' & 'neech': Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/cWtDZMx7Cb

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017

Lalu Prasad Yadav calls Aiyar ‘mentally unfit’

Reactions are pouring in hot and fast. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and a Congress ally, Lalu Prasad Yadav reacted to the controversy and called Mani Shankar Aiyar mentally unfit. 

#ManiShankarAiyar is mentally not fit: Laloo Prasad Yadav pic.twitter.com/qyDdfx2Gdp

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017

A conditional apology from Aiyar

​

“If you ask me if I am sorry for my comments, no. But if you ask me if I regret the way my words were interpreted, absolutely. I certainly am sorry if I have hurt the prime minister I did not mean it in the way it has been interpreted. I was certainly not referring to his caste or his background” Aiyar said in a rather long explanation of his comments. 

'Neech' word can have different interpretations, my intention was never to talk of PM's caste.I apologize if it also has a caste meaning. I am an ordinary worker of Congress,have not even been asked to campaign in Gujarat so why such a uproar over my comment?: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/7jkFc09AT5

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017

I am a freelance Congressy, a stormy petrel: Mani Shankar Aiyar

​

I am no official spokesperson of the Congress party. Nobody has given me any posts. I am a freelance Congressi and I am a stormy petrel; I haven’t even been asked to campaign in Gujarat. I am an ordinary worker of Congrea so why such a uproar over my comment, " Aiyar said.

‘Hindi not my first language,’ Aiyar’s defence

​

Mani Shankar Aiyar came out in his defence soon after the controversy took over headlines in national medi. The Congress leader apologised for the ‘interpretation of his remarks’ rather than the comment itself. Responding to reporters in impeccable Hindi which was tempered with Urdu words, Aiyar said Hindi was not his firs language and hence his knowledge of the language was only limited. He said he was not aware that the word neech could be interpreted in ways more than one. 

“I have learnt from you guys that neech could have more than one meanings. By neech I certainly did not mean low-born or a person of low origins. I meant lowly politics,” Aiyar said. 

​

I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017

Neech to Neechi Jaati

​

The Indian Polity often exhibits what clever word play can achieve, or, what a sloppily made comment can turn into. Aiyar’s personal comment against the prime minister is not expected to die away any time soon. 

They can call me 'Neech'- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work: PM Modi in Surat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/XBZd6OqgSu

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017

Rahul Gandhi reacts sharply after PM plays up statement, says Congress has different culture

Rahul Gandhi has reacted strongly to Aiyar’s remark, asking him to apologise. Rahul took to twitter to express his disapproval on the choice of words by Aiyar as he managed to hit out at the BJP in the same tweet.

BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 7, 2017

Aiyar’s comments show Congress’ Mughlai mindset: Modi

The prime minister used the opportunity to once again link the Congress party to the Mughal dynasty, another controversy of Aiyar’s making. He said the comments exhibited the Cogress party’s ‘Mughlai Congress.’

Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, he said Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai Mindset: PM pic.twitter.com/9IvKewDPMw

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017

PM Modi reacts,  gives statement good play on last day of campaigning in poll-bound Gujarat

The prime minister was quick to react to Sibal’s comments. Modi, who was addressing an election rally in poll-bound Gujarat, cleverly turned Aiyar’s comment into an electoral opportunity, as he was quick to comment that Aiyar has called him a person from ‘neechi jaati’. He asked the Gujaratis to give Congress a befitting reply in the polls. 

“He called me a person of neechi jati (l_ow-born), a neech_ (lowly or despicable),” the prime minister said amid uproar in his rally.

What exactly did Aiyar say?

“Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, is mein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai?” Aiyar said in Hindi. 

He was responding to questions on Modi’s comments on BR Ambedkar on Thursday Morning. During the inauguration of the Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, Modi had said, “After his(Ambedkar’s) death, a particular family tried to suppress his ideas. His contributions to India were downplayed. But these people could not erase him from people’s psyche.”

Mani Shankar Aiyar stokes fresh controversy ahead of Gujarat polls

Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar is at it again. Days after Aiyar courted controversy for invoking Mughal emperors in trying to justify Rahul Gandhi’s unopposed elevation to the post of Congress President — a comment he claims was used out of context — he is again at the eye of a storm for calling the prime minister a “neech admi (a despicable man).” While the Congress leader has issued a (conditional) lengthy apology, it has definitely stoked a controversy, perhaps to the BJP’s advantage.