At Kasauli Litfest, Mani Shankar Aiyar termed Operation Blue Star as the army's folly. He also discussed Rajiv Gandhi's peace policy, his foresight in Tamil and LTTE issues, and India's cultural heritage.
New Delhi: Mani Shankar Aiyar made a significant statement regarding Operation Blue Star at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival held in Kasauli. He stated that this action was a result of the imprudence of senior army officials. Alongside this, he also highlighted former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's role in establishing peace in Punjab. According to him, the Longowal Accord was part of this policy.
Rajiv Gandhi's Foresight
Mani Shankar Aiyar stated that Rajiv Gandhi was a visionary leader who prioritized the historical importance of the country. He mentioned that Rajiv Gandhi correctly decided to send a peacekeeping force to Sri Lanka. Furthermore, during his premiership, he decided to telecast Ramayana and Mahabharata on Doordarshan, which enhanced the understanding of Indian culture and history in every household.
Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram's Viewpoint
A day earlier, former Home Minister P. Chidambaram had also shared his views on Operation Blue Star. He stated that it is not right to blame only Indira Gandhi for this action, as it also involved the roles of the army, police, and administrative officials. He contended that Rajiv Gandhi dealt with the circumstances wisely and prioritized national interest.
Mani Shankar Aiyar's Session at Litfest
On the final day of Kasauli Litfest, Mani Shankar Aiyar discussed Rajiv Gandhi's legacy for India's future in his session. Alongside interlocutor Jawhar Sircar, he shed light on Rajiv Gandhi's policies and contributions through his book 'The Rajiv I Knew'. The session also included discussions on Operation Blue Star, LTTE, and the issues of Kashmiri Pandits.
Mani Shankar Aiyar also discussed the Tamil problem and LTTE issues. He stated that Rajiv Gandhi played a positive role in these matters and took effective steps for regional peace. Furthermore, he emphasized that national conflicts can only be resolved through leadership and foresight in politics.
