Former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar made strong remarks while responding to criticism from BJP leaders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Aiyar said his earlier comments about the Prime Minister had been misrepresented and denied making certain statements attributed to him. He also questioned political narratives surrounding Modi’s background and criticised what he described as attempts to spread communal divisions. Aiyar argued that portraying India as a “Hindu nation” could harm the country’s social fabric and unity. He further raised concerns over the Prime Minister inaugurating the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, questioning its implications for secularism. The former minister also criticised debates around triple talaq and “love jihad,” calling them politically driven issues that risk deepening social and religious polarisation in India.