Table of Contents
- Background: Tharoor’s Praise for Advani
- Tharoor’s Argument on Historical Context
- Responses and Public Debate
- Tharoor’s Political Position
- Conclusion: Statesmanship vs Controversy
Background: Tharoor’s Praise for Advani Shashi Tharoor defends LK Advani
On BJP veteran LK Advani’s 98th birthday, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praised the former deputy prime minister, leading to questions over his ideological alignment. Sharing an old photograph with Advani, Tharoor lauded his “unwavering commitment to public service, modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India.”
Advani, a key figure in Indian politics, is often remembered for the Rath Yatra in the early 1990s, which became a point of controversy due to its association with communal tensions. Critics, including journalist Khushwant Singh, referred to it as sowing “dragon seeds of hatred,” a phrase also cited in Singh’s book The End of India.
Tharoor’s Argument on Historical Context
Responding to criticism, Tharoor argued that judging a long career by a single event is 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,” he wrote on X, replying to lawyer Sanjay Hegde.
Tharoor emphasized that Advani’s life of service should be seen in its entirety rather than reduced to controversial moments like the Rath Yatra. He described Advani as “a true statesman” whose contributions to public service and nation-building are “indelible.”
Responses and Public Debate
The remarks triggered a public debate on the interpretation of historical events. Lawyer Sanjay Hegde criticized Tharoor, stating that Advani had “unleashed the dragon seeds of hatred” through the Rath Yatra. This sparked a larger conversation on how political leaders’ legacies are evaluated in modern discourse.
BJP spokespersons welcomed Tharoor’s nuanced stance. Shehzad Poonawalla called him a “khatron ke khiladi” for challenging the conventional narratives about the Nehru-Gandhi family, while CR Kesavan labeled Tharoor’s comments a “truth bomb” on dynastic politics, highlighting the influence of the Nehru-Gandhi family over Congress leadership.
Tharoor’s Political Position
Shashi Tharoor has often taken positions independent of his party, particularly since his involvement in delegations for global diplomatic outreach under the NDA regime. He recently criticized the dynastic politics of the Nehru-Gandhi family, calling it “detrimental to merit,” without drawing parallels to BJP leaders’ families. This approach has earned him praise from some quarters and scrutiny from others.
Tharoor’s defense of Advani underscores his belief in evaluating political leaders holistically, rather than focusing solely on controversial episodes. His remarks encourage a broader perspective when discussing India’s historical and contemporary political narratives.
Writer-journalist Khushwant Singh had said, “Mr Advani, you sowed the dragon seeds of hatred in this country,” directly to the BJP leader at a public meeting where Advani was the chief guest and Khushwant Singh was presiding. The quote is also mentioned in Khushwant Singh’s book, ‘The End of India’.
In his birthday wishes for Advani, Tharoor shared an old photo of his with the former deputy PM, and said the BJP leader’s “unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India are indelible”.
Describing Advani as “a true statesman”, Tharoor said his “life of service has been exemplary”.
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Conclusion: Statesmanship vs Controversy
Shashi Tharoor’s defense of LK Advani highlights the tension between evaluating public service and focusing on contentious events. By citing historical examples of Nehru’s China setback and Indira Gandhi’s Emergency, Tharoor advocates for fairness and contextual understanding in political discourse. While critics continue to debate the implications, Tharoor emphasizes recognizing the entirety of a political leader’s contributions rather than isolating controversial episodes.
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By The Morning News Informer — Updated 09 Nov 2025
