Mani Shankar Aiyar sparks controversy with 'Pak can drop atom bomb on India' statement

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar suggested that New Delhi should engage in dialogue with Pakistan to avoid any potential consequences, including the use of the atomic bomb by the South Asian neighbouragainst India.

Aiyar's remarks came during an interview he gave to Chill Pill on April 15.In a now widely circulated clip, Aiyar can be seen talking about the need for a dialogue with Pakistan and warning that failure to do so could lead to dire consequences.

He said, "India should give respect to Pakistan as it has an atom bomb! If we don't give them respect, they'll think of using an atom bomb against India."

Also Read |Narendra Dabholkar murder case: Two accused get life imprisonment

"They are also a sovereign country (Pakistan). They are a respected nation. You can talk tough with them (Pakistan). But start the dialogue. You are walking with a gun which yielded you nothing. Tensions are escalating. And if a mad person comes there, what will happen to the nation? They have an atom bomb. We also possess the atomic bomb. But if a mad person detonates a bomb at Lahore station, so within eight seconds, eight moments, its radioactivity will reach Amritsar," Aiyar reportedly added.

Also Read |Maldives Foreign Minister Zameer mindful of concerns over China vessel visit; seeks debt relief from India

The controversial comments come to the fore at a time whenLok Sabha elections are underway and discussions about Pakistan and China are frequently used by parties in their political discourse.Aiyar's remarks sparked criticism from BJP leaders.

Reacting to Aiyar's comments, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar accused Congress of promoting an ideology that prioritises Pakistan over India's interests.

BJP leader Ravi Kishan also ridiculed Aiyar and said that he should seek treatment.

Watch |Pannun murder plot row: US says 'satisfied' with Indian accountability on Pannun murder plot

Incidentally, Aiyer was born in Lahore, Pakistan.

Congress sought to distance itself from Aiyar's remarks, with spokesperson Pawan Khera stating that Aiyar's views do not represent the party's stance.

This exchange follows Prime Minister Modi's recent assertion that Indian forces would enter Pakistan to eliminate terrorists.

"During the Congress regime, the news headlines were about India handing over another dossier to Pakistan about terror activities. It used to be big news. Today, India doesn't send dossiers. Aaj Bharat ghar mein ghus ke marta hai (Today, India eliminates terrorists on their home turf)," PM Modi had said at an election rally in Maharashtra's Latur.

In a separate instance, Hyderabad police on Friday (May 10) registered a case against BJP candidate Navneet Rana Kaur for saying that a vote for the Congress party is a vote for Pakistan.

(With inputs from agencies)