After Khurshid, Mani Shankar Aiyar compares India's situation to Bangladesh turmoil; sparks outrage (WATCH)
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Aug 8, 2024, 10:27 AM ISTAfter Salman Khurshid, now Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has sparked a massive debate for drawing parallels between the current situation in Bangladesh and India's political and economic landscape.
In a remark that has fueled yet another political controversy, Congress leader and former diplomat Mani Shankar Aiyar has drawn parallels between the current situation in Bangladesh and India's political and economic landscape. This comes in the wake of similar remarks by Congress leader Salman Khurshid, further intensifying the debate.
In an interview with IANS, Aiyar compared the volatility and turmoil in Bangladesh with India's situation, citing economic growth accompanied by rising unemployment and inequality as common factors. Aiyar highlighted the recent upheaval in Bangladesh, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stepped down and fled the country, as indicative of broader issues. He noted that despite economic progress, such social and political issues can lead to significant unrest.
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"Despite economic growth, unemployment has increased significantly. There could be a comparison between their situation and ours," he told the news agency.
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar says situation of India is similar to Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/PHVG845rgJ
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce)Aiyar also remarked on the shortcomings of democracy in Bangladesh, particularly pointing out the opposition's boycott of recent elections, which they deemed neither "free nor fair." He contrasted this with India, where opposition parties participate in elections, although he acknowledged that concerns and suspicions about the electoral process persist.
"They (Bangladeshi opposition parties) stayed away since they felt the process is neither free nor fair," Aiyar told IANS.
Addressing the political climate, the Congress leader further emphasized the importance of learning from these issues to maintain India's democratic integrity.
"We will be Viksit Bharat, but will it be an independent and democratic India?" he question.
On Sheikh Hasina's tenure, Aiyar praised her for her secularism and support for minority rights, while also stressing that India should maintain good relations with whichever government emerges in Bangladesh. He cautioned against allowing diplomatic ties to be jeopardized by the current political shifts.
Aiyar also dismissed claims of foreign interference in Bangladesh’s recent troubles as mere conjecture, but underscored the importance of engaging with Pakistan to address regional issues.
Reacting sharply to the Congress leader's comments, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Mani Shankar Aiyar has expressed concern that the violence happening in Bangladesh could occur in India as well. Those who couldn't defeat Modi through the ballot are now trying to create a backdrop for defeating him through the bullet."
After Salmn Khursheed then Sajjan Verma & now Mani Shankar Aiyyar draw parallel between Bharat & Bangladesh & incite / provoke similar scenes here
In Modi virodh they can do Bharat ka Virodh; undermine Bharat’s institutions..
This isn’t a Sanyog but a socha Samjha Prayog.. https://t.co/U3IV2xLcDl pic.twitter.com/aFoPopPeET
The remarks by Aiyar follow similar controversial comments made by Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who had suggested that the situation in India could mirror the unrest seen in Bangladesh. Khurshid's statement drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress of attempting to sow discord and promote anarchy in India.
“Everything may look normal in Kashmir. Everything may look normal here. We may be celebrating the victory, although of course some people believe that that victory or that success of 2024 was perhaps only marginal, perhaps a lot more needs to be done,” Khurshid remarked while speaking at the recent launch of academician Mujibur Rehman's book Shikwa-e-Hind: The Political Future of Indian Muslims.
"The fact remains that under the surface there is something. What's happening in Bangladesh can happen here... the spread in our country prevents things blowing up in the manner in which they've blown up in Bangladesh," he added.
SHOCKING: "We disappointed young Muslims to the extent that they decided to take law & order in hand" says Salman Khurshid.
Congress leader justifies terrorist activities and attacks in Kashmir and India by Muslims. pic.twitter.com/vzzf2qSwfs
BJP leaders, including Anurag Thakur and Rajiv Pratap Rudy, condemned Khurshid's comments as alarmist and unfounded. Thakur labeled Khurshid’s remarks as "anarchist," while Rudy described them as bordering on sedition. The BJP also accused the Congress of trying to create fear and instability in the country, particularly after their recent electoral defeats.
In the wake of the Bangladesh crisis, which saw violent protests and a political transition with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leading an interim government, Aiyar's and Khurshid's statements have reignited the debate on India’s political stability and democratic practices.
"One after the other Congress leaders are wanting a Bangladesh-like situation in India. After Salman Khurshid and Sajjan Singh Verma, it is now Mani Shankar Aiyar. By repeatedly giving these statements who are these leaders signaling to?" wrote Pradeep Bhandari, national spokesperson of BJP on X.
Another irked user on X stated, "He should be sent to Bangladesh to experience his views."
"Bangladesh was his second best country after Pakistan If the situation was similar to BD he would not have been able to give interview from his house," said a third netizen.
A fourth user remarked, "They all want India to become Bangladesh."
Here's a look at how netizens reacted to Mani Shankar Aiyar's latest remarks:
One after the other Congress leaders are wanting a Bangladesh-like situation in India.
After and Sajjan Singh Verma, it is now Mani Shankar Aiyar.
By repeatedly giving these statements who are these leaders signaling to? pic.twitter.com/AZw8RfwEbv
Congress Leader
Comparing 🇧🇩 with 🇮🇳
Long time Betrayer of Hindustan and staunch supporter of 🇵🇰 https://t.co/mNqGbho2NT
These Congress chamchas have been frothing since August 5th to repeat the events of Bangladesh in India. Weren't they tom-toming with a copy of the Constitution just a few weeks back? https://t.co/sVqPZQqaBu
— Arijit Roy🇮🇳 (@iArijitRoy)When he fled to Pakistan and begged the government there to topple Indian Government, why was he even allowed to return back to India?https://t.co/vgw6LPnVAD
— Eztainutlacatl (@cbkwgl)The true face of Congress.
Kitna bhi bolde Congress ke yeh unke personal point of view but it's not. It's a well-played strategy of Congress https://t.co/3x0KNksUOl
If situation was same then all Opposition Party leaders would have been behind jail, just like Bangladesh! https://t.co/T0IgZUJZpb
— Manav Jain (@manav_jain21)They , Congress leaders top , are trying to activate toolkit which was initiated in Badesha through BNP & part of security apparatus
Govt knows how to deal with these Pakistan, Chinese friends https://t.co/wYEMpoFjLQ
Having been defeated thrice in the elections, being frustrated by the inability to grab power, this party is now exploring possibilities by involving foreign powers & instigating civil unrest. This anti-national party will go any lengths to achieve its goals. https://t.co/h3oRjXTHDe
— Dr. Sridhar Rao (@microrao)I think some congress personel will become CIA agent here or they are already. you people have to take strict actions otherwise they will definitely try Bangladesh like things in India. These 2 rupees netas always forget that is a professional Army. https://t.co/qaaJ4YJnyg
— Dipayan Mondal (@Dipayan04160807)
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