Congress has once again repeated the same mistake like it had done back in 2014. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, the Congress during the campaigning had called Narendra Modi a ‘Chai wallah’ and the BJP had undoubtedly used the term in its favour. Narendra Modi had then flaunted that he was a man risen from the ground and he feels proud that he sold tea at the stall and has reached this level with his hard work.
The terming of Narendra Modi as the ‘Chai Wallah’ had cost the Congress dearly. The party lost the Lok Sabha elections and since then, Modi has managed to maintain the Modi wave, blooming the lotus across the nation, as and when possible. Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, on 7 December, called PM Narendra Modi a “neech kism ka insaan (a lowly person)”.
However, as soon as Mani Shankar made the comment, Congress distanced itself from the leader. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi asked the leader to apologise immediately for making such a comment. He tweeted that even though BJP has been abusing the Congress and its leaders on regular basis, but such was not the ethics of the Congress party.
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
After Rahul Gandhi asking Mani Shakar to apologise, the leader in his statement to the press said that he did not mean to call the Prime Minister of low origin. He said that he did not mean to use the word ‘neech’ and claimed that since Hindi was not his mother tongue. “his comment had been lost in translation because his Hindi is poor,” he added. Mani Shankar Aiyar had passed a comment on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He had said “Yeh aadmi bohot neech kisam ka aadmi hai. Isme koi sabhyata nahi hai. Aur aise mauke par is tarah ki gandi rajneeti ka kya avashyakta hai? (This man is of low origin, he does not have any manners and what is the need of playing such dirty politics at this time.)”
#WATCH: "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?: Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar on PM Modi pic.twitter.com/sNXeo6a1Gi
— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017
He had also questioned the Prime Minister as to why he made such comments at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at the inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar. He later told the reporters that “Everyday, the PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language.”
Apologising for the comments he made, defending himself Mani Shankar said that “I never meant ‘low born’. In English, there’s a clear distinction between ‘low’ and ‘low born’. It is very possible that in Hindi — which is not my natural language and which I learned after much effort — I translated ‘low’ as ‘neech‘. But if neech also means ‘low born’ then I apologise that I used a word which can be interpreted in many ways, and in the way Modiji is interpreting it, I have nothing to do with that, I don’t think he is low born but his language is very, I’ll say in English, is very low language. Why would he use such a low language for the Congress on such an occasion. Whatever I say they want to misinterpret. As far as I am concerned the bulk of my remarks dealt with Modi’s very, very nasty remarks about the Congress, particularly with Gandhi’s relationship with Ambedkar.”
In wake of the prevailing circumstances, the reporters also brought up the issue of 2014 when he had called Narendra Modi a ‘Chai Wallah’. On being asked, he said that “I never called Mr. Modi a ‘chai wallah’. You can go on the internet and check all the videos.”
Responding to the events and the political stir that the comment of Mani Shankar Aiyar, the Congress party on Thursday, suspended him from the party and also issued him a show cause notice for his remarks against PM Modi.
Meanwhile, the BJP did not miss the opportunity and used the comment of Aiyar in their favour, provoking the Gujaratis against the Congress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Surat, used the comment of Aiyar, denting it a bit to use it accordingly. He said that “They can call me ‘neech jaati‘. 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 backward classes. That is my culture. They can keep their language, we will do our work.”
Taking the opportunity to lure the Gujaratis, not to vote for such people and party who makes such comments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that, Mani Shankar Aiyar belonged to a good family and also posses a number of degrees and was a diplomat for a number of years and remained a minister in the Manmohan Singh government. He further added that such a man using foul language like this against Modi who was from Gujarat was an insult to Gujarat. Not just to Gujarat but to the entire nation.
Modi also alleged that the comment of Aiyar clearly shows that he was of a Mughalai mindset that sees everyone as ‘neech’. “They called us donkeys, neech, gandi naali ke keede… the people of Gujarat will give a befitting reply to such derogatory language. I appeal to all BJP activists not to retort. But answer them on December 9 and 14 (voting days)… Voting results would mean what low caste means when everyone votes for the BJP,” the Prime Minister said.
Adding spark in the issue, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that “Aiyar’s “neech” remark displayed a mindset that only one elite family can be a ruler and the rest are only the “neech“. He said that the suspension of Mani Shankar Aiyar from the party was a strategic move. He further added that “Mani Shankar Aiyar is a serial offender. You give false facts on inflation and then retract. If you’re unsure of facts and statements, then you’re unfit for public life.”
The Congress Party has challenged the weaker and backward sections of India by calling the Prime Minister as ’Neech’ . The strength of India’s Democracy will be displayed when a person of humble background politically defeats the dynasty and its representatives.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) December 7, 2017
Mani Shankar Aiyer’s ‘Neech’ -attack on Prime Minister- a deliberate casteist statement, a convenient apology, a strategic suspension. People should see through this game
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) December 7, 2017
With only a day left before the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections on 9 Dec, this comment of the senior party leader could cost the party dearly.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanatha also remarked that “Mani Shankar Aiyar’s remark is shameful and unfortunate. We condemn it. Using such words for the Prime Minister is an insult to India and its people. Congress party must apologise or people of Gujarat will teach them a lesson in the upcoming election.” While BJP Party President Amit Shah, further listed down some more terms used by the Congress earlier to give names to the Prime Minister. He tweeted that “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.”
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 (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) December 7, 2017
On the other hand, trying to defend the party and put up a good show from the Congress side, the party spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala said that Congress agrees that the comments passed by its leader against Modi were not right and the party has taken the necessary step to suspended Mani Shankar Aiyar from the primary membership. He also questioned that would Narendra Modi would have done the same thing, and suspended one of his party member? He tweeted that “the party had issued a show cause notice to Aiyar and suspended him from the primary membership. This is Congress party’s Gandhiwaad and sense of respect towards its rivals. Can Modiji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) ever show such conviction.”
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