Chinese allegedly invaded India in 1962: Aiyar sparks fresh row

Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks using the word "alleged" for the Chinese invasion in 1962 kicked up a political row late Tuesday with the BJP calling it a "brazen attempt at revisionism". Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh pointed out that Aiyar had subsequently apologised "unreservedly" for using the term "alleged invasion" "mistakenly," and that the party distances itself from the "original phraseology". Ramesh also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving a "clean chit" to the Chinese for their incursions in May 2020.According to a purported video of an event at the Foreign Correspondents Club on Tuesday evening, Aiyar, while narrating an anecdote, said, “…In October 1962, the Chinese allegedly invaded India.” Later, in a brief statement, Aiyar said, “I unreservedly apologise for having mistakenly used the word ‘alleged’ before ‘Chinese invasion’ at the Foreign Correspondents Club.” Aiyar, who has stoked controversies in the past with his comments, made the remarks at the launch of the book “Nehru’s First Recruits”.
BJP’s IT department head Amit Malviya slammed the Congress over Aiyar’s remarks.“Mani Shankar Aiyar, speaking at the FCC, during the launch of a book called Nehru’s First Recruits, refers to the Chinese invasion in 1962 as ‘alleged’. This is a brazen attempt at revisionism,” the BJP leader said on X.“Nehru gave up India’s claim on permanent seat at the UNSC in favour of the Chinese, Rahul Gandhi signed a secret MoU, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation accepted funds from the Chinese Embassy and published reports recommending market access for Chinese companies, based on them, Sonia Gandhi’s UPA opened up Indian market for Chinese goods, hurting MSMEs and now Congress leader Aiyar wants to whitewash the Chinese invasion, post which the Chinese have been in illegal occupation of 38,000 sq km of Indian territory,” he alleged.What explains “Congress’s love for the Chinese?” Malviya asked.