India
Twitter had a lot to say about Mani Shankar Aiyar's latest faux paus.
Updated : Dec 07, 2017, 06:41 PM IST
It appears Mani Shankar Aiyar can’t spend three days without getting into trouble. After a faux paus which was gleefully jumped on by PM Modi and other BJP members where Aiyar’s elaborate analogy to explain why Congress wasn’t like Mughal rule fell flat, Aiyar was at it again when he called the PM ‘neech’.
Speaking later about the incident, Mani Shankar Aiyar apologised and said that when he said ‘neech’ he meant ‘low level’. He told ANI: “Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday 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.”
He added: “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.”
His comment dew a sharp reaction from the PM who dubbed it as an "insult" to Gujarat and a reflection of "Mughal mentality".
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too disapproved of Aiyar's remarks and said both he and the party expected the senior leader to apologise.
"He (Modi) is 'neech kism ka aadmi' (a vile man) who has no 'sabhyata' (civility)," Aiyar, who has often courted controversy with his off-the-cuff remarks said, attacking Modi after the latter accused the Congress of seeking votes in B R Ambedkar's but trying to erase his contribution to building India.
The prime minister, while inaugurating the Ambedkar International Centre had earlier today hit out at the Congress, saying parties seeking votes in the name of the architect of the Indian Constitution's name tried to erase his contribution to nation building.
"Such was his (Ambedkar's) incredible strength that when years after his demise efforts were made by such people to crush his philosophy, when efforts were made to erase his contribution towards nation building, his ideals could not be wiped out from people's memory," he said.
He said he would not be wrong in saying that "more people are still influenced by his (Ambedkar's) ideas than the family for which such efforts (to erase his contribution) were made".
Aiyar asked Modi "What is the need for doing dirty politics on such an occasion?".
Modi, who was in Surat, latched on to Aiyar's comments, saying it was an insult to Gujarat.
"Mani Shankar Aiyar today said I belong to 'neech' caste, I am 'neech' (vile), this is an insult to Gujarat," he told an election rally.
"This is Mughal mentality which hates people who even wear good clothes," he said but asked BJP workers and supporters not to respond to Aiyar's remarks.
The Congress too strongly disapproved of Aiyar's remarks, with party vice president Rahul Gandhi saying he and the party expected the leader to tender an apology.
"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," Gandhi said on Twitter.
Here's how Twitter reacted:
Final over on, Mani Shankar Aiyar runs in to bowl and the batsman Modi comes down the pitch and converts an attempted Yorker into a full toss and hits it out of the ground.... https://t.co/0lh8KyJF5s
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) December 7, 2017
I have nothing to say on a ‘wise’ Congress leader calling me ’Neech'. This is the Congress mindset. They have their language and we have our work. People will answer them through the ballot box. https://t.co/2McoZnaoar pic.twitter.com/icGqAphUzy
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2017
Yamraj
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 7, 2017
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.
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.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 7, 2017
The world according to #ManiShankarAiyar -
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) December 7, 2017
Modi neechey. Mani UPA.
I fail to understand what sort of sabhyata is he trying to portray ? https://t.co/CSxZIM1WBM
— (Nation Comes First) (@NationComes1st) December 7, 2017
Mani Shankar Aiyar
— Raman (@being_delhite) December 7, 2017
You are neither Mani (Pearl)
Nor Shankar (not even worthy of being called a Pig)
Or Aiyar (you are a blotch on Tam Brahms)
Ashamed that such fellows were dirtying our Parliamentary Democracy.
Akh-thoo https://t.co/CKN1lvsVyO
MSA can be counted on to give the BJP the winning edge.
— Harini Calamur (@calamur) December 7, 2017
first the chai wallah comment. Now this.
Really obnoxious behaviour by MSA.
such casteist, elitist tripe. https://t.co/V6Vmnb5kdb
#ManiShankarAiyar is a BJP deep mole in congress . pops up from time to time and decimates @INCIndia https://t.co/1uGYkapuGA
— Karthik Bharadwaj (@KBharada) December 7, 2017
Well done Mani ! Thank you!
— Shakuntala Iyer (@shakkuiyer) December 7, 2017
You just gave 10 more seats to @BJP4Gujarat
Your madam called him 'maut ka saudagar' n gave him the whole nation ! https://t.co/IsHEEhJcjv
Arrogant, lacking civility, M.S.Aiyar,your hubris is astounding and in inverse proportion to your relevance.
— geeta (@GeetaYahoo) December 7, 2017
You were RaGa's mentor. Well, it shows and God help Congress with people like you and the dynasts. https://t.co/h1J9m2mslF
Earnestly request MSA to speak only in English https://t.co/gfD2lccpxw
— Suvojit (@suvojitc) December 7, 2017
Dripping with disdain for a man who rose by dint of his hard work.
— Arnold's Ram Mandir-ness (@brakoo) December 7, 2017
What a neech aadmi MS Aiyar is. https://t.co/bG6MfuAIyN
Neech? I'm no Modi fan but I am bugged by Mani's tendency to frequently resort to casteist dog whistles against him. https://t.co/FJANrv7rRS
— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) December 7, 2017
This individual never fails to disgust me. With party men like him, @INCIndia doesn't need adversaries or foes. Aur maaro self goals. https://t.co/00KAMnHu87
— Sai Deepak J (@jsaideepak) December 7, 2017
Mani Shankar Aiyar referring to the Prime Minister as "neech" is yet another classist jibe aimed at humiliating him by pointing to his humble past... Congress has this disgusting sense of entitlement, where they can't see a man rise to country's top job on merit and hard-work.
— Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) December 7, 2017
When Mani Shankar Aiyar called Modi a 'Chaiwala', Nation restricted Congress to 44 seats, Now he called him a 'Neech Aadmi', Congress might become history in 2019.
— Bhaiyyaji (@bhaiyyajispeaks) December 7, 2017
Waiting for Social Justice Pidis, who won't stop preaching how even using the term "Pariah dog" to refer to a breed of Indian dog is reinforcing casteism, but use of the term "neech" for by Money Sankar Aiyar is just a colloquial phrase.
— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) December 7, 2017
Rahul Gandhi's Mann Ki Baat? If it wasn't would Mani Shankar Aiyyar (most loyal to Gandhi family) not be out after Chaiwala barb!This casteist "neech" remark at @narendramodi reflects Rahul's thoughts on backward castes? If not will Rahul sack Mani? @navikakumar @RShivshankar https://t.co/ZCSRWqGTNN
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) December 7, 2017
Please note this is the same Mani Shankar Aiyar who called Hafiz Saeed- ‘ Hafiz Sahab’! Aiyar who calls terrorists ‘sahab’ will surely find PM ‘neech’ . What is so surprising?
— Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) December 7, 2017
Mani Shankar Aiyar Calls PM Narendra Modi 'Neech Aadmi'. Now the only thing left for this frustrated man to do is to run behind Modi ji with a sickle. Disgusting fellow!! https://t.co/As7jykA6nI
— Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) December 7, 2017
#ManiShankarAiyar is mentally not fit: Laloo Prasad Yadav pic.twitter.com/qyDdfx2Gdp
— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017
With inputs from PTI