Mani Shankar Aiyar does it again: Dasharatha had 10,000 rooms, where was Ram born?

Raking up the political storm over Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, the decade-old socio-religious debate between Hindus and Muslims, senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Monday raised question over the birth of Lord Rama. The diplomat-turned-politician was addressing a gathering at 'Ek Shaam Babri Masjid Ke Naam' programme organised by the Social Democratic Party of India in New Delhi. Speaking on the construction of Ram Temple on the disputed land of Ayodhya, Aiyar said, "There were 10,000 rooms in King Dasharatha's palace. How are they sure that Lord Ram was born where".

"Mani Shankar Aiyar, Congress, speaks on #RamMandir at 'Ek Shaam Babri Masjid Ke Naam' programme organised by Social Democratic Party of India in Delhi," the news agency ANI reported this evening.

#WATCH Mani Shankar Aiyar, Congress, speaks on #RamMandir at 'Ek Shaam Babri Masjid Ke Naam' programme organised by Social Democratic Party of India in Delhi pic.twitter.com/QtckaUdW70

— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2019

During his address, Aiyar also dubbed the 1992 demolition of Babri Masjid a downfall of India. Elaborating further, the senior leader said, “I'm from the Congress and we did a mistake. (The then Prime Minister PV) Narasimha Rao didn't take the right steps at the right time and a mistake happened".

Describing the destruction of Babri Masjid the second attempt to divide the country, Aiyar alleged, “Hindu-Muslim unity was torn apart when the Babri Masjid was demolished". In a related note, Aiyar had earlier said it was then prime minister Narasimha Rao's "pro-Hindu mindset"  that resulted in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

“You are those who proved your loyalty to this nation when you decided to stay back during Partition. Questioning you and doubting you mean questioning the integrity of this country, questioning the Constitution,” the Congress leader added.

“They are trying to destroy the foundation of this Constitution and you should make sure that doesn't happen. I am a Hindu and I support you,” Aiyar went on to claim further. In an apparent reference to the disputed land of Ayodhya, the senior leader said those who want a mandir can make one but “how can they say ‘mandir wahin banayenge'.

The vociferous Congress leader has developed a status of being controversy's favourite child over the years and is at the centre of all talking points in every now and then.