Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has said that over two-third of Indians do not support turning the country into Hindu Rashtra. He also lashed out at "divisive politics" and attempts to spread hatred in the country.
Aiyar, while extending Eid wishes, said that there is a deliberate attempt to spread hatred and spoil the harmonious atmosphere in the country at the behest of those in power, but added that those tactics would not succeed as the majority of Indians didn't support divisive politics.
Delhi: On Eid, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar says, "I want to extend my heartfelt Eid Mubarak wishes to my Muslim brothers, sisters and friends in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries... I am speaking from India, a land that welcomes everyone with open… pic.twitter.com/d2dCPTxKDz
— IANS (@ians_india) March 31, 2025
"More than two-thirds of Hindustanis (countrymen) don’t support the political powers that seek to create a hostile atmosphere towards minorities and turn the country into Hindu Rashtra. Out of this two-third population, 50 per cent comprise Hindus,” he added. Aiyar added that India was the land of diversity and people of all faiths live here with deep bonds of brotherhood and harmony.
This isn't the first time that Aiyar has made controversial statements. Recently, Aiyar went viral with a statement questioning the educational qualification of former Prime Minister and Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi.
"Everyone knows the name of Indira Gandhi. When Rajiv Gandhi became (Prime Minister), people thought and I myself thought that he is an airline pilot. He has failed twice."
"I studied with him at Cambridge University. He (Rajiv) had failed at Cambridge University. It is very difficult to fail at Cambridge University. It is easy to pass in the first division there. But, it is very difficult to fail there because the university tries to maintain its image by ensuring that everyone passes at least. But, despite this, Rajiv Gandhi failed. Then he went to Imperial College of London, where he failed again. I thought, does such a person want to become the Prime Minister?" Aiyar added.
