Ajmer College Principal Clarifies 'Pakistan Big Brother' Remark, Calls It Sarcastic

Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 20:53 IST

He had said Pakistan attained independence on August 14, 1947, while India emerged on the morning of August 15, making Pakistan "12 hours older" and therefore a "big brother"

The controversy stems from remarks made during the 31st International Conference of the Rajasthan Sociological Association. (News18 Hindi)

A college principal from Rajasthan’s Ajmer on Friday clarified his controversial remarks in which he had referred to Pakistan as India’s “big brother", saying the statement was made sarcastically and had been misinterpreted. The clarification came after his comments triggered a backlash on social media.

Speaking to reporters, the principal of Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan Government College, Manoj Beharwal, said India has always been a Sanatan civilisation and questioned the very idea of comparing the two nations. “What does being ‘big’ mean? Look at India’s achievements today. If you compare both countries, you can clearly see where India stands and where Pakistan stands. My remark was purely sarcastic," he said.

Beharwal also praised former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and other freedom fighters, asserting that India’s progress and global standing speak for themselves.

The controversy stems from remarks made during the 31st International Conference of the Rajasthan Sociological Association, held on January 23 and 24 at Sanatan Dharma Government College in Beawar, Rajasthan. Addressing the gathering, Beharwal had said Pakistan attained independence on August 14, 1947, while India emerged on the morning of August 15, making Pakistan “12 hours older" and therefore a “big brother".

Following the circulation of the video clip on social media, several organisations and individuals accused the principal of making objectionable statements, leading to widespread criticism.

The two-day conference witnessed participation from representatives of seven states, over 20 districts of Rajasthan, and three countries. The central theme of the conference was Indian knowledge traditions and society.

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