The Congress party on Sunday distanced itself from comments made by Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who praised veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera stated that Tharoor’s views are personal and do not reflect the party’s official position.
In a post on social media platform X, Khera wrote, “Like always, Dr. Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself and the Indian National Congress outrightly dissociates itself from his most recent statement. That he continues to do so as a Congress MP and CWC member reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to INC.”
Khera’s statement followed Tharoor’s birthday greetings to Advani on the latter’s 98th birthday, which took place on November 8. In his message, Tharoor acknowledged Advani’s “unwavering commitment to public service, modesty, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India.”
Tharoor’s post read, “Wishing the venerable Shri L.K. Advani a very happy 98th birthday! His unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India are indelible. A true statesman whose life of service has been exemplary.”
However, Tharoor’s remarks received criticism, with some suggesting that he was attempting to overlook the controversial aspects of Advani’s legacy. Supreme Court Advocate Sanjay Hedge opposed Tharoor’s view, arguing that Advani’s past actions, particularly the 1990 Ram Rath Yatra, contributed to inciting division and should not be labeled as “public service.”
Hedge’s post stated, “Sorry Mr. Tharoor, unleashing the ‘dragon seeds of hatred’ (to quote Kushwant Singh) in this country is NOT public service.” This sparked a debate between Tharoor and Hedge, with Tharoor defending Advani’s extensive career and drawing comparisons to the legacies of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Tharoor replied on X, “Agreed, @sanjayuvacha, but reducing his long years of service to one episode, however significant, is also unfair. The totality of Nehruji’s career cannot be judged by the China setback, nor Indira Gandhi’s by the Emergency alone. I believe we should extend the same courtesy to Advaniji.”
Advani, credited with being a pivotal figure in the BJP’s rise in Indian politics, was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, earlier this year. He is known for leading the Ram Janmabhoomi campaign through a significant Rath Yatra in 1990.
