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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder {{Infobox officeholder
| image = Mani Shankar Aiyar addressing the Press Conference on 4th NE Business Summit to be held in Guwahati on 15th & 16th September 2008, in New Delhi on September 11, 2008.jpg | image = File:Mani Shankar Aiyar addressing the Press Conference on 4th NE Business Summit (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 170
| caption = Aiyar addressing at the press conference on 4th NE Business Summit to be held in Guwahati, September 11, 2008.

| office = ]
| office = ]<br>]
| term_start1 =
| term_end1 = | term_start = 23 May 2004
| constituency1 = | term_end = 22 May 2009
| office2 = ] | primeminister = ]
| term_start2 = 1991 | predecessor = ''Ministry created''
| term_end2 = 1996 | successor = ]

| constituency2 =
| office1 = ]
| predecessor2 = ]
| successor2 = ] | term_start1 = 23 May 2004
| term_start3 = 1999 | term_end1 = 29 January 2006
| term_end3 = 2009 | primeminister1 = Manmohan Singh
| predecessor3 = ] | predecessor1 = ]
| successor3 = ] | successor1 = ]

| constituency3 = ], ]
| office2 = ]
| term_start2 = 29 January 2006
| term_end2 = 6 April 2008
| predecessor2 = ], MoS (I/C)
| successor2 = ], MoS (I/C)

| office3 = ]
| term_start3 = 24 October 2006
| term_end3 = 22 May 2009
| predecessor3 = ]
| successor3 = ]

| office4 = ] for ]
| term_start4 = 1999
| term_end4 = 2009
| predecessor4 = ]
| successor4 = ]
| term_start5 = 1991
| term_end5 = 1996
| predecessor5 = ]
| successor5 = ]

| office6 = ]<br />(])
| term_start6 = 22 March 2010
| term_end6 = 21 March 2016
| party = ] | party = ]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1941|4|10|df=81}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1941|4|10|df=yes}}
| birth_place = ], ], ]<br/> (present-day ], ]) | birth_place = ], ], ]<br/> (present-day ], ])
| spouse = Suneet Vir Singh (aka Suneet Mani Aiyar) | spouse = Suneet Vir Singh (aka Suneet Mani Aiyar)
| relations = ] (brother) | relations = ] (brother)
| children = 3 daughters | children = 3, including ]
| residence = ], Tamil Nadu | residence = ], Tamil Nadu
| alma_mater = ] (])<br/> ] (BA, MA) | alma_mater = ] (])<br/> ] (BA, MA)
| occupation = {{hlist|Diplomat|journalist/writer|politician|social worker}} | occupation = {{hlist|Diplomat|journalist/writer|politician|social worker}}
| website = | website =
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| year = | | year = |
| source = http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=12&lastls=14 | source = http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=12&lastls=14
| office1 = Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, Minister of Panchayati Raj
| termstart1 = 16 June 2004
| termend1 = 24 May 2009
| termstart = 2010
| termend = 2016
}} }}
'''Mani Shankar Aiyar''' (born 10 April 1941) is an Indian politician and former career civil servant diplomat. He is a member of the ] Party. '''Mani Shankar Aiyar''' (born 10 April 1941) is an Indian politician and former career civil servant diplomat. He is a member of the ] Party.


He represented the ] constituency of ] in the ], ], and ]. He was a nominated member of parliament from ]. He represented the ] constituency of ] in the ], ], and ]. He was a nominated member of parliament from ].


==Early life and education== ==Early life and education==
], then headmaster, at ].]]

Mani Shankar Aiyar is the son of Vaidyanatha Shankar Aiyar, a ], and Bhagyalakshmi Shankar Aiyar. He was born in Laxmi Mansions, Lahore in British India, which as ] refugee property, became house for the family of ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Read Manto's fiction to grasp Indianness|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/RbuksfgEHXwnA1sslf09DI/Read-Mantos-fiction-to-grasp-Indianness.html|access-date=9 March 2013|newspaper=HT Mint|date=9 March 2013}}</ref> His older brother is the journalist, ]. He lost his father at age 12 in an air crash. Mani Shankar Aiyar is the son of Vaidyanatha Shankar Aiyar, a ], and Bhagyalakshmi Shankar Aiyar. He was born in Laxmi Mansions, Lahore in British India, which as ] refugee property, became house for the family of ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Read Manto's fiction to grasp Indianness|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/RbuksfgEHXwnA1sslf09DI/Read-Mantos-fiction-to-grasp-Indianness.html|access-date=9 March 2013|newspaper=HT Mint|date=9 March 2013}}</ref> His older brother is the journalist, ]. He lost his father at age 12 in an air crash.


He attended ], ] and obtained B.A. in economics from ], ]. While at Doon, he was an editor of ].<ref>'History of the Weekly' published by The Doon School (2009) p.33</ref> After the loss of his father, Aiyar's mother had to negotiate with Doon to allow him to continue his studies with reduced fees and in return he taught at the school.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080518/jsp/7days/story_9285975.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919044302/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080518/jsp/7days/story_9285975.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2012|publisher=The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata)|title=The IB ultimately came to the conclusion that I was indeed a Marxist, but of the Groucho variety|work=Tete-a-tete|date=18 May 2008|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref> He attended ], ] and obtained B.A. in economics from ], ]. While at Doon, he was an editor of '']''.<ref>'History of the Weekly' published by The Doon School (2009) p.33</ref> After the loss of his father, Aiyar's mother had to negotiate with Doon to allow him to continue his studies with reduced fees and in return she taught at the school.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080518/jsp/7days/story_9285975.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919044302/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080518/jsp/7days/story_9285975.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2012|publisher=The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata)|title=The IB ultimately came to the conclusion that I was indeed a Marxist, but of the Groucho variety|work=Tete-a-tete|date=18 May 2008|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref>


He graduated in economics from Delhi University, and then did a two-year ] in Tripos in economics at ] at the ] which, in the Oxbridge tradition, became an M.A. with the passage of time. He was a member of Trinity Hall. He was also an active member of the ] Society in Cambridge. At Cambridge, Aiyar joined student politics and once even tried to win a presidential contest. ], who was his junior both at Doon and Cambridge, supported him in his campaign. He graduated in economics from Delhi University, and then did a two-year ] in Tripos in economics at ] at the ] which, in the Oxbridge tradition, became an M.A. with the passage of time. He was a member of Trinity Hall. He was also an active member of the ] Society in Cambridge. At Cambridge, Aiyar joined student politics and once even tried to win a presidential contest. ], who was his junior both at Doon and Cambridge, supported him in his campaign.
==Positions Held==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Period !! Position Held
|-
| 6 April 2008 onwards || Minister, Panchayati Raj and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
|-
| 29 January 2006 onwards || Union Cabinet Minister of Panchayati Raj and Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
|-
| 23 May 2004 - 28 January 2006 || Union Cabinet Minister, Petroleum & Natural Gas; Panchayati Raj
|-
| 2004 || Re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha (3rd term)
|-
| 2002 - 2004 || Member, Committee on Public Undertakings
|-
| 1999 - 2004 || Member, Committee on Urban and Rural Development
|-
| 1999 || Elected to 13th Lok Sabha (2nd term)
|-
| 1998 || Secretary, All India Congress Committee
|-
| 1998 || Member, Committee on External Affairs
|-
| 1992 - 1996 || Member, Committee on Human Resource Development
|-
| 1992 || Elected to All India Congress Committee (AICC)
|-
| 1991 - 1992 || Member, Committee on Environment and Forests
|-
| 1991 || Elected to 10th Lok Sabha
|}


==Career== ==Career==
He joined the ] in 1963 and served as ] from 1982 to 1983 in ] and later as ] at ] from 1985 to 1989. He resigned from service in 1989 to take up a career in politics and media, entering the ] as a Congress MP from ] in 1991, 1999 and 2004 but was defeated in 1996, 1998, 2009 and 2014. He spent some time in ] posted as a diplomat, serving as India's first consul-general in ] from 1978 to 1982.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/new-delhi-s-new-red-line-on-dialogue-114082000032_1.html|title=New Delhi's new red line on Indo-Pak dialogue|first=Ajai|last=Shukla|date=20 August 2014|via=Business Standard|newspaper=Business Standard India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Aiyar |first1=Mani Shankar |title=Islamabad Diary |url=https://magazine.outlookindia.com/story/islamabad-diary/279867 |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=Outlook |date=20 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2133 |title=Detailed Profile: Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar}}</ref>
] ] administering the oath as Cabinet Minister at a Swearing-in Ceremony in New Delhi on 2004.]]
] Pranab Mukherjee releasing a book authored by ] ] Mohammad Hamid Ansari, in New Delhi on 2008.]]
He joined the ] in 1963 and served as ] from 1982 to 1983 in ] and later as ] at ] from 1985 to 1989. He resigned from service in 1989 to take up a career in politics and media, entering the ] as a Congress MP from ] in 1991, 1999 and 2004 but was defeated in 1996, 1998, 2009 and 2014. He spent some time in ] posted as a diplomat, serving as India's first consul-general in ] from 1978 to 1982.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/new-delhi-s-new-red-line-on-dialogue-114082000032_1.html|title=New Delhi's new red line on Indo-Pak dialogue|first=Ajai|last=Shukla|date=20 August 2014|via=Business Standard|newspaper=Business Standard India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Aiyar |first1=Mani Shankar |title=Islamabad Diary |url=https://magazine.outlookindia.com/story/islamabad-diary/279867 |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=Outlook |date=20 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.archive.india.gov.in/govt/rajyasabhampbiodata.php?mpcode=2133 |title=Detailed Profile: Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar}}</ref>


He is a special invitee to the ] and was a chairman of both the party's political training department and the department of policy planning and coordination. He is also a well-known He is a special invitee to the ] and was a chairman of both the party's political training department and the department of policy planning and coordination. He is also a well-known
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==Personal life== ==Personal life==
He was married on 4 January 1973 to Suneet Vir Singh, a ] woman. They have 3 daughters – the eldest, Suranya Aiyar is a lawyer;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aiyar |first1=Yamini |last2=Kapur |first2=Avani |title=Opinion: Swachh Bharat Mission's Success Is Greatly Exaggerated |url=https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/swachh-bharat-after-pms-big-push-where-it-has-faltered-1469495?pfrom=home-opinion |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=NDTV.com |date=5 October 2016}}</ref> the second, Yamini Aiyar is a senior research fellow and director of the Accountability Initiative;<ref>{{cite news |title=Mani Shankar Aiyar's daughter weds |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/mani-shankar-aiyars-daughter-weds/article3053378.ece |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=27 November 2006 |language=en-IN}}</ref> He was married on 4 January 1973 to Suneet Vir Singh, a ] woman. They have 3 daughters – the eldest, Suranya Aiyar is a lawyer;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aiyar |first1=Yamini |last2=Kapur |first2=Avani |title=Opinion: Swachh Bharat Mission's Success Is Greatly Exaggerated |url=https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/swachh-bharat-after-pms-big-push-where-it-has-faltered-1469495?pfrom=home-opinion |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=NDTV.com |date=5 October 2016}}</ref> the second, Yamini Aiyar is a senior research fellow and director of the Accountability Initiative.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mani Shankar Aiyar's daughter weds |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/mani-shankar-aiyars-daughter-weds/article3053378.ece |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=27 November 2006 |language=en-IN}}</ref>


Aiyar is the uncle of ], former anchor on ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Time for India to invigorate disarmament plan: panel |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/time-for-india-to-invigorate-disarmament-plan-panel/article2373903.ece |work=The Hindu |date=20 August 2011 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Time for India to invigorate disarmament plan: panel |url=http://nsspi.tamu.edu/nsspi-news-articles/2011-08/time-for-india-to-invigorate-disarmament-plan-panel |publisher=nsspi.tamu.edu |accessdate=18 December 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611055814/http://nsspi.tamu.edu/nsspi-news-articles/2011-08/time-for-india-to-invigorate-disarmament-plan-panel |archivedate=11 June 2016}}</ref>
Aiyar is the uncle of ], former anchor on ] and ].{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}


==Controversies== ==Controversies==
{{POV section|date=June 2022}}
Mani Shankar Aiyer has been a part of many controversies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/NAT-TOP-5-instances-when-aiyar-caused-a-furor-4867632-PHO.html?seq=2|title=From justifying Paris attack to calling MPs animals: 5 instances when Mani Shankar Aiyar caused a furor|date=9 January 2015|work=DailyBhaskar|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en}}</ref>


While on a tour of the ] as the Cabinet Minister in the later part of 2004, Aiyar was quoted as saying at the ] there that there was no difference between Hindutva ideologue ] and Pakistan's founder ] as they shared a 'divisive' philosophy. He also ordered that a plaque with a poem commemorating Savarkar be replaced with a plaque with quotes from ]. Reports of the incident paralysed ] and led to agitations by the ] in ]. Aiyar's remarks created confusion as well in the ruling party; the official spokesman, ], noted that the ] did not consider Savarkar either a freedom fighter or a patriot. A few days later, the Prime Minister dissociated himself and the cabinet from that view.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-30Sep04-Print-Edition/163109200429.htm|title=You have shamed a democratic-secular India, Mr. PM!, The Milli Gazette, Vol.5 No.18, MG112 (16–30 Sep 04)|work=milligazette.com}}</ref>
In 2000, Aiyar was involved in a public brawl with politician ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hvk.org/articles/1200/5.html |title='Don't invite the likes of Mani. If you must, limit them to two pegs' (Interview - Amar Singh) |access-date=25 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708223244/http://www.hvk.org/articles/1200/5.html |archive-date=8 July 2011 }}</ref> According to Singh, Aiyar insulted Singh's then party leader ] and remarked: "Oh that bloody Mulayam – he looks just like me. It could be because my father visited ] at some point. Why don't you check with Mulayam's mother?"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/stoi/all-that-matters/Dont-invite-the-likes-of-Mani-If-you-must-limit-them-to-two-pegs/articleshow/8759704.cms|title='Don't invite the likes of Mani. If you must, limit them to two pegs' – The Times of India|work=The Times Of India}}</ref>
] ] administering the oath as Cabinet Minister at a Swearing-in Ceremony in New Delhi on 2004.]]


In September 2011, Aiyar visited his alma mater—]—to speak about 'Governance and Corruption: Is Panchayati Raj A Solution?'. However, he began to mock the ] and its former student ]. He also belittled the ] and the BA (Programme) Degree, a course in the University of Delhi. This led to an agitation by the students of Hansraj College. When the agitated students approached him, he mocked them even further. When later questioned by the media, Aiyar refused to apologise and rather ridiculed the institutions even further. Baffled by his remarks, Stephen's College and its students went on to apologise to Hansraj College and extended a hand of friendship.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/Aiyar-mocks-Hans-Raj-again-belittles-Kirori-Mal-too/articleshow/9962697.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202174020/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-13/education/30149164_1_second-year-student-ba-pass-kirori-mal-college | url-status=live | archive-date=2013-12-02 | work=] | title=Aiyar mocks Hans Raj again, belittles Kirori Mal too}}</ref>
While on a tour of the ] as the Cabinet Minister in the later part of 2004, Aiyar was quoted as saying at the ] there that there was no difference between the radical right-wing revolutionary ], a famous inmate of the prison, and ], the founder of ], as they shared a 'divisive' philosophy. He also ordered that a plaque with a poem commemorating Savarkar be replaced with a plaque with quotes from ]. Reports of the incident paralysed ] and led to agitations by the ] in ]. Aiyar's remarks created confusion as well in the ruling party; the official spokesman, ], noted that the ] did not consider Savarkar either a freedom fighter or a patriot. A few days later, the Prime Minister dissociated himself and the cabinet from that view.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milligazette.com/Archives/2004/16-30Sep04-Print-Edition/163109200429.htm|title=You have shamed a democratic-secular India, Mr. PM!, The Milli Gazette, Vol.5 No.18, MG112 (16–30 Sep 04)|work=milligazette.com}}</ref>


] Pranab Mukherjee releasing a book authored by ] ] Mohammad Hamid Ansari, in New Delhi on 2008.]]
As sports minister, he effectively scuttled India's bid for Asian Games in 2007. It was widely felt that Delhi's lack of enthusiasm to host the event was the primary reason for its loss. Then Union Sports Minister of India, Mani Shankar Aiyar, spoke strongly against Delhi hosting the games and argued that it was better if the money allocated by India's government for organising the sporting event was spent on building facilities for the poor.<ref>"India vs. China as a Global Sporting Events Host". Bloomberg BusinessWeek. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2010</ref> The ] (IOA) president revealed that India's Sports Minister remarks against hosting the Games was the main reason for New Delhi's loss.<ref>"Delhi loses bid to host 2014 Asian Games". Outlook India. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 4 July 2010.</ref>

In September 2011, Aiyar visited his alma mater—]—to speak about 'Governance and Corruption: Is Panchayati Raj A Solution?'. However, he began to mock the ] and its former student ]. He also belittled the ] and the BA (Programme) Degree, a course in the University of Delhi. This led to an agitation by the students of Hansraj College. When the agitated students approached him, he mocked them even further. When later questioned by the media, Aiyar refused to apologise and rather ridiculed the institutions even further. Baffled by his remarks, Stephen's College and its students went on to apologise to Hansraj College and extended a hand of friendship.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-13/education/30149164_1_second-year-student-ba-pass-kirori-mal-college | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202174020/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-13/education/30149164_1_second-year-student-ba-pass-kirori-mal-college | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-12-02 | work=] | title=Aiyar mocks Hans Raj again, belittles Kirori Mal too}}</ref>

In the ] in August 2013, ] MP ] accused Aiyar of being a Pakistani spy, when he refused to discuss the recent murder of 5 Indian soldiers by the Pakistani Army and instead suggested discussing rising gas prices. Aiyar reacted sharply and tried to assault Agarwal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Mani Shankar Aiyar tried to attack SP leader Naresh Agarwal in Rajya Sabha - Politics News , Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/why-mani-shankar-aiyar-tried-to-attack-sp-leader-naresh-agarwal-in-rajya-sabha-1013617.html |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=Firstpost |date=6 August 2013}}</ref>


He in an interview days before the run up to the 2014 Parliament elections in India, said that a tea seller (The Prime Ministerial candidate ] of the ]) can never become the Prime Minister of India, but can sell tea in ] meetings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/modi-can-never-become-pm-can-sell-tea-mani-shankar-aiyar/|title=Modi can never become PM, can sell tea: Mani Shankar Aiyar|date=17 January 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=8 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> His comment was disowned by the congress saying it's his personal view and not the party's view.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-disapproves-of-mani-shankar-aiyars-tea-vendor-remarks-against-narendra-modi-548222|title=Congress disapproves of Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'tea vendor' remarks against Narendra Modi|work=NDTV.com|access-date=8 June 2017}}</ref> ] asked him not to make personal attacks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rahul-disapproves-of-Aiyars-chaiwala-jibe-at-Modi/articleshow/29966668.cms|title=Rahul disapproves of Aiyar's 'chaiwala' jibe at Modi – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=8 June 2017}}</ref> He in an interview days before the run up to the 2014 Parliament elections in India, said that a tea seller (The Prime Ministerial candidate ] of the ]) can never become the Prime Minister of India, but can sell tea in ] meetings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/modi-can-never-become-pm-can-sell-tea-mani-shankar-aiyar/|title=Modi can never become PM, can sell tea: Mani Shankar Aiyar|date=17 January 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=8 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> His comment was disowned by the congress saying it's his personal view and not the party's view.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-disapproves-of-mani-shankar-aiyars-tea-vendor-remarks-against-narendra-modi-548222|title=Congress disapproves of Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'tea vendor' remarks against Narendra Modi|work=NDTV.com|access-date=8 June 2017}}</ref> ] asked him not to make personal attacks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rahul-disapproves-of-Aiyars-chaiwala-jibe-at-Modi/articleshow/29966668.cms|title=Rahul disapproves of Aiyar's 'chaiwala' jibe at Modi – Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=8 June 2017}}</ref>

In 2015, there was widespread demand for sedition charges against Aiyar for an interview with ] while visiting ].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=DNA India |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-mani-shankar-aiyar-s-remarks-are-seditious-sonia-gandhi-should-apologise-bjp-2146474 |date=18 November 2015 |title=Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks are seditious, Sonia Gandhi should apologise: BJP}}</ref> Aiyar is said to have suggested that Pakistan remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power, to be able to continue peace talks between ] and ]. On 16 February 2018, Ashok Choudhary, the head of BJP's Kota district OBC wing filed a sedition and defamation case against Aiyer.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sedition-case-filed-against-mani-shankar-aiyar/articleshow/62950773.cms|date=16 February 2018 |title=Sedition case filed against Mani Shankar Aiyar}}</ref>


Mani Shankar Aiyer justified<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mani-shankar-aiyar-charlie-hebdo-killing-twitter-paris-terror-attack-muslims-congress/1/412306.html|title=Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Charlie Hebdo killing, Twitter declares war|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref> ] as<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-congress-leader-mani-shankar-aiyar-offers-justification-for-paris-terror-attack-terms-it-backlash-2050969|title=Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar offers justification for Paris terror attack, terms it 'backlash' {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=8 January 2015|work=dna|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> a response to France banning Hijab.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/videos/politics/aiyar-breaking-734958.html|title=Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Paris terror attacks, says it is response to France banning Hijab|website=News18|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref> He also justified ] as a backlash for the death of Muslims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/mani-shankar-aiyar-justifies-charlie-hebdo-attack-gets-slammed-on-twitter-2037285.html|title=Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Charlie Hebdo attack, gets slammed on Twitter|date=9 January 2015|work=Firstpost|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/2015/01/shocker-congress-leader-mani-shankar-aiyar-defends-charlie-hebdo-attack/|title=Shocker! Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar defends Charlie Hebdo attack {{!}} Tehelka Web Desk {{!}} Tehelka - Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts|website=www.tehelka.com|language=en-US|access-date=9 June 2017}}</ref> His comments were disapproved by his own party members.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/cong-disapproves-of-mani-shankar-aiyar-s-remark-on-paris-attacks/story-qGUqRPnGYG69izoBvf33eP.html|title=Cong disapproves of Mani Shankar Aiyar's remark on Paris attacks|date=17 November 2015|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> Mani Shankar Aiyer justified<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mani-shankar-aiyar-charlie-hebdo-killing-twitter-paris-terror-attack-muslims-congress/1/412306.html|title=Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Charlie Hebdo killing, Twitter declares war|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref> ] as<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-congress-leader-mani-shankar-aiyar-offers-justification-for-paris-terror-attack-terms-it-backlash-2050969|title=Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar offers justification for Paris terror attack, terms it 'backlash' {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=8 January 2015|work=dna|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> a response to France banning Hijab.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/videos/politics/aiyar-breaking-734958.html|title=Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Paris terror attacks, says it is response to France banning Hijab|website=News18|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref> He also justified ] as a backlash for the death of Muslims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/mani-shankar-aiyar-justifies-charlie-hebdo-attack-gets-slammed-on-twitter-2037285.html|title=Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Charlie Hebdo attack, gets slammed on Twitter|date=9 January 2015|work=Firstpost|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/2015/01/shocker-congress-leader-mani-shankar-aiyar-defends-charlie-hebdo-attack/|title=Shocker! Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar defends Charlie Hebdo attack {{!}} Tehelka Web Desk {{!}} Tehelka - Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts|website=www.tehelka.com|language=en-US|access-date=9 June 2017}}</ref> His comments were disapproved by his own party members.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/cong-disapproves-of-mani-shankar-aiyar-s-remark-on-paris-attacks/story-qGUqRPnGYG69izoBvf33eP.html|title=Cong disapproves of Mani Shankar Aiyar's remark on Paris attacks|date=17 November 2015|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en}}</ref>


He sparked a political firestorm when he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "''neech aadmi''", which PM Modi interpreted as ''nichli jaati'' (]). Subsequently, he was suspended from the party's primary membership. Aiyar said the comments by the PM showed his "low-level mindset and one bereft of any manners". "Mujhko lagta hai ki ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, isme koi sabhyata nahi hai. Aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai? (This shows the low-level mindset of the PM and one bereft of any manners. What is the need of doing such dirty politics on such an occasion)," ANI quoted Aiyar as saying. Due to this comment the Congress party suspended his primary party membership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/neech-kisam-ka-aadmi-mani-shankar-pm-modi-attacks-congress-over-ambedkar|title=Ambedkar row: Mani Shankar Aiyar calls Modi 'neech aadmi', PM terms it a 'Mughlai mindset'|date=7 December 2017|website=indianexpress.com}}</ref> After his suspension, he justified his derogatory remarks by adding "My Hindi is not very good. Yes, I called Modi 'neech' but did not mean it as a low-born; I meant it as low,".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mani-shankar-aiyar-calls-modi-neech-suspended-from-congress/articleshow/61971794.cms|title=Mani Shankar Aiyar calls Modi 'neech'; suspended from Congress - Times of India ►|website=indiatimes.com}}</ref> He has a history of controversial statements against the former PM ]. However his suspension has been revoked by Congress President Mr. Rahul Gandhi on 18 August 2018.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} He sparked a political firestorm when he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "''neech aadmi''", which PM Modi interpreted as ''nichli jaati'' (]). Subsequently, he was temporarily suspended from the party's primary membership. Aiyar said the comments by the PM showed his "low-level mindset and one bereft of any manners".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/neech-kisam-ka-aadmi-mani-shankar-pm-modi-attacks-congress-over-ambedkar|title=Ambedkar row: Mani Shankar Aiyar calls Modi 'neech aadmi', PM terms it a 'Mughlai mindset'|date=7 December 2017|website=indianexpress.com}}</ref> He further justified his remarks on Modi by adding "Yes, I called Modi 'neech' but did not mean it as a low-born; I meant it as low".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/mani-shankar-aiyar-calls-modi-neech-suspended-from-congress/articleshow/61971794.cms|title=Mani Shankar Aiyar calls Modi 'neech'; suspended from Congress - Times of India ►|newspaper=The Times of India|date=18 August 2018 }}</ref>

In 2019, when asked by an Indian journalist about the "''neech aadmi''" jibe, Aiyar angrily charged towards the journalist, shook his fist towards him, and remarked: "I will hit you... Just f**k off!"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Mani Shankar Aiyar abuses reporters who questioned him on his ''neech'' remark|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/mani-shankar-aiyar-abuses-reporters-who-questioned-him-on-his-neech-remark-773351|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref>


==Publications== ==Publications==


Aiyar has written seven books – Aiyar has written ten books –
*The Rajiv I Knew: And why He was India's Most Misunderstood Prime Minister, 2024


* ''How To Be A Sycophant'', NBS, New Delhi, 1990. * ''How To Be A Sycophant'', NBS, New Delhi, 1990.
* ''Rajiv Gandhi: The Great Computer Scientist of India'', Mughal Publishers, New Delhi, 1991. * ''Rajiv Gandhi: The Great Computer Scientist of India'', Mughal Publishers, New Delhi, 1991.
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Latest revision as of 18:30, 15 December 2024

Indian politician and former civil servant diplomat

Mani Shankar Aiyar
Minister of Panchayati Raj
Government of India
In office
23 May 2004 – 22 May 2009
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byMinistry created
Succeeded byC. P. Joshi
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
In office
23 May 2004 – 29 January 2006
Prime MinisterManmohan Singh
Preceded byRam Naik
Succeeded byMurli Deora
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
In office
29 January 2006 – 6 April 2008
Preceded byOscar Fernandes, MoS (I/C)
Succeeded byM. S. Gill, MoS (I/C)
Minister for Development of North Eastern Region
In office
24 October 2006 – 22 May 2009
Preceded byPaty Ripple Kyndiah
Succeeded byBijoy Krishna Handique
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha for Mayiladuthurai
In office
1999–2009
Preceded byK. Krishnamoorthy
Succeeded byO. S. Manian
In office
1991–1996
Preceded byE.S.M. Packeer Mohamed
Succeeded byP. V. Rajendran
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
(Nominated)
In office
22 March 2010 – 21 March 2016
Personal details
Born (1941-04-10) 10 April 1941 (age 83)
Lahore, Punjab, British India
(present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
Political partyIndian National Congress
SpouseSuneet Vir Singh (aka Suneet Mani Aiyar)
RelationsSwaminathan Aiyar (brother)
Children3, including Yamini Aiyar
Residence(s)Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
Alma materSt. Stephen's College, Delhi (BA)
Trinity Hall, Cambridge (BA, MA)
Occupation
  • Diplomat
  • journalist/writer
  • politician
  • social worker
Source:

Mani Shankar Aiyar (born 10 April 1941) is an Indian politician and former career civil servant diplomat. He is a member of the Indian National Congress Party.

He represented the Mayiladuthurai constituency of Tamil Nadu in the 10th Lok Sabha, 13th Lok Sabha, and 14th Lok Sabha. He was a nominated member of parliament from Rajya Sabha.

Early life and education

Aiyar with Kanti Bajpai, then headmaster, at The Doon School.

Mani Shankar Aiyar is the son of Vaidyanatha Shankar Aiyar, a chartered accountant, and Bhagyalakshmi Shankar Aiyar. He was born in Laxmi Mansions, Lahore in British India, which as post-Partition refugee property, became house for the family of Saadat Hassan Manto. His older brother is the journalist, Swaminathan Aiyar. He lost his father at age 12 in an air crash.

He attended Welham Boys' School, The Doon School and obtained B.A. in economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, University of Delhi. While at Doon, he was an editor of The Doon School Weekly. After the loss of his father, Aiyar's mother had to negotiate with Doon to allow him to continue his studies with reduced fees and in return she taught at the school.

He graduated in economics from Delhi University, and then did a two-year B.A. in Tripos in economics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge at the University of Cambridge which, in the Oxbridge tradition, became an M.A. with the passage of time. He was a member of Trinity Hall. He was also an active member of the Marxist Society in Cambridge. At Cambridge, Aiyar joined student politics and once even tried to win a presidential contest. Rajiv Gandhi, who was his junior both at Doon and Cambridge, supported him in his campaign.

Positions Held

Period Position Held
6 April 2008 onwards Minister, Panchayati Raj and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
29 January 2006 onwards Union Cabinet Minister of Panchayati Raj and Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
23 May 2004 - 28 January 2006 Union Cabinet Minister, Petroleum & Natural Gas; Panchayati Raj
2004 Re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha (3rd term)
2002 - 2004 Member, Committee on Public Undertakings
1999 - 2004 Member, Committee on Urban and Rural Development
1999 Elected to 13th Lok Sabha (2nd term)
1998 Secretary, All India Congress Committee
1998 Member, Committee on External Affairs
1992 - 1996 Member, Committee on Human Resource Development
1992 Elected to All India Congress Committee (AICC)
1991 - 1992 Member, Committee on Environment and Forests
1991 Elected to 10th Lok Sabha

Career

He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1963 and served as Joint Secretary to Government of India from 1982 to 1983 in Ministry of External Affairs and later as Joint Secretary at Prime Minister's Office from 1985 to 1989. He resigned from service in 1989 to take up a career in politics and media, entering the Parliament as a Congress MP from Mayiladuthurai in 1991, 1999 and 2004 but was defeated in 1996, 1998, 2009 and 2014. He spent some time in Pakistan posted as a diplomat, serving as India's first consul-general in Karachi from 1978 to 1982.

He is a special invitee to the Congress Working Committee and was a chairman of both the party's political training department and the department of policy planning and coordination. He is also a well-known political columnist and has written several books, including Pakistan Papers and Remembering Rajiv, and has edited a four-volume publication, Rajiv Gandhi's India.

His special interests include grassroots democracy, Indian foreign policy particularly with India's neighbouring countries, and West Asia and nuclear disarmament.

Personal life

He was married on 4 January 1973 to Suneet Vir Singh, a Sikh woman. They have 3 daughters – the eldest, Suranya Aiyar is a lawyer; the second, Yamini Aiyar is a senior research fellow and director of the Accountability Initiative.

Aiyar is the uncle of Vidya Shankar Aiyar, former anchor on Channelnews asia and CNN- IBN.

Controversies

While on a tour of the Andamans as the Cabinet Minister in the later part of 2004, Aiyar was quoted as saying at the Cellular Jail there that there was no difference between Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Savarkar and Pakistan's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah as they shared a 'divisive' philosophy. He also ordered that a plaque with a poem commemorating Savarkar be replaced with a plaque with quotes from Mahatma Gandhi. Reports of the incident paralysed Parliament and led to agitations by the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. Aiyar's remarks created confusion as well in the ruling party; the official spokesman, Anand Sharma, noted that the Congress Party did not consider Savarkar either a freedom fighter or a patriot. A few days later, the Prime Minister dissociated himself and the cabinet from that view.

11th President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam administering the oath as Cabinet Minister at a Swearing-in Ceremony in New Delhi on 2004.

In September 2011, Aiyar visited his alma mater—St. Stephen's College—to speak about 'Governance and Corruption: Is Panchayati Raj A Solution?'. However, he began to mock the Hansraj College and its former student Ajay Maken. He also belittled the Kirori Mal College and the BA (Programme) Degree, a course in the University of Delhi. This led to an agitation by the students of Hansraj College. When the agitated students approached him, he mocked them even further. When later questioned by the media, Aiyar refused to apologise and rather ridiculed the institutions even further. Baffled by his remarks, Stephen's College and its students went on to apologise to Hansraj College and extended a hand of friendship.

13th President of India Pranab Mukherjee releasing a book authored by 12th Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari, in New Delhi on 2008.

He in an interview days before the run up to the 2014 Parliament elections in India, said that a tea seller (The Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi of the BJP) can never become the Prime Minister of India, but can sell tea in AICC meetings. His comment was disowned by the congress saying it's his personal view and not the party's view. Rahul Gandhi asked him not to make personal attacks.

Mani Shankar Aiyer justified November 2015 Paris attacks as a response to France banning Hijab. He also justified Charlie Hebdo shooting as a backlash for the death of Muslims. His comments were disapproved by his own party members.

He sparked a political firestorm when he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "neech aadmi", which PM Modi interpreted as nichli jaati (lower caste). Subsequently, he was temporarily suspended from the party's primary membership. Aiyar said the comments by the PM showed his "low-level mindset and one bereft of any manners". He further justified his remarks on Modi by adding "Yes, I called Modi 'neech' but did not mean it as a low-born; I meant it as low".

Publications

Aiyar has written ten books –

  • The Rajiv I Knew: And why He was India's Most Misunderstood Prime Minister, 2024


  • How To Be A Sycophant, NBS, New Delhi, 1990.
  • Rajiv Gandhi: The Great Computer Scientist of India, Mughal Publishers, New Delhi, 1991.
  • Remembering Rajiv, Rupa & Co., New Delhi, 1992.
  • One Year in Parliament, Konark, New Delhi, 1993.
  • Pakistan Papers, UBSPD, New Delhi, 1994.
  • Knickerwallahs, Silly-Billies and Other Curious Creatures, UBS Publishers, 1995.
  • Rajiv Gandhi's India, 4 vols. (General Editor), UBSPD New Delhi, 1997.
  • Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist, Penguin, 2004.
  • A Time of Transition: Rajiv Gandhi to the 21st Century, Penguin, 2009.

References

  1. "Read Manto's fiction to grasp Indianness". HT Mint. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  2. 'History of the Weekly' published by The Doon School (2009) p.33
  3. "The IB ultimately came to the conclusion that I was indeed a Marxist, but of the Groucho variety". Tete-a-tete. Calcutta, India: The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata). 18 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012.
  4. Shukla, Ajai (20 August 2014). "New Delhi's new red line on Indo-Pak dialogue". Business Standard India – via Business Standard.
  5. Aiyar, Mani Shankar (20 February 2012). "Islamabad Diary". Outlook. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  6. "Detailed Profile: Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar".
  7. Aiyar, Yamini; Kapur, Avani (5 October 2016). "Opinion: Swachh Bharat Mission's Success Is Greatly Exaggerated". NDTV.com. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. "Mani Shankar Aiyar's daughter weds". The Hindu. 27 November 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  9. "Time for India to invigorate disarmament plan: panel". The Hindu. 20 August 2011.
  10. "Time for India to invigorate disarmament plan: panel". nsspi.tamu.edu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  11. "You have shamed a democratic-secular India, Mr. PM!, The Milli Gazette, Vol.5 No.18, MG112 (16–30 Sep 04)". milligazette.com.
  12. "Aiyar mocks Hans Raj again, belittles Kirori Mal too". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013.
  13. "Modi can never become PM, can sell tea: Mani Shankar Aiyar". The Indian Express. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  14. "Congress disapproves of Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'tea vendor' remarks against Narendra Modi". NDTV.com. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  15. "Rahul disapproves of Aiyar's 'chaiwala' jibe at Modi – Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  16. "Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Charlie Hebdo killing, Twitter declares war". Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  17. "Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar offers justification for Paris terror attack, terms it 'backlash' | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dna. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  18. "Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Paris terror attacks, says it is response to France banning Hijab". News18. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  19. "Mani Shankar Aiyar justifies Charlie Hebdo attack, gets slammed on Twitter". Firstpost. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  20. "Shocker! Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar defends Charlie Hebdo attack | Tehelka Web Desk | Tehelka - Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts". www.tehelka.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  21. "Cong disapproves of Mani Shankar Aiyar's remark on Paris attacks". hindustantimes.com/. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  22. "Ambedkar row: Mani Shankar Aiyar calls Modi 'neech aadmi', PM terms it a 'Mughlai mindset'". indianexpress.com. 7 December 2017.
  23. "Mani Shankar Aiyar calls Modi 'neech'; suspended from Congress - Times of India ►". The Times of India. 18 August 2018.

Further reading

External links

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