New Delhi: Congress leader and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor has found himself in the eye of a political debate after he praised BJP veteran LK Advani on his 98th birthday. Tharoor’s remarks, which lauded Advani’s decades of public service, have sparked questions regarding his political stance and judgment, prompting him to offer a nuanced defense citing historical examples from the careers of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

In his birthday message for Advani, Tharoor shared an old photograph of himself with the former deputy Prime Minister and hailed the BJP stalwart for his “unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India.” He went on to describe Advani as “a true statesman” whose “life of service has been exemplary.”

However, the reference to Advani inevitably brought up the contentious Rath Yatra of 1990, an event that catalyzed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and is linked historically to the eventual demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. Critics argue that Tharoor’s praise risked overlooking this episode, with lawyer Sanjay Hegde commenting, “Sorry Mr Tharoor, unleashing the ‘dragon seeds of hatred’ (to quote Khushwant Singh) in this country is not public service.”

The “dragon seeds” remark harks back to a statement by the late writer-journalist Khushwant Singh, who had criticized Advani at a public meeting during his political career, asserting that he had sown division in the country. Singh also referenced the phrase in his book, The End of India.

Tharoor’s Historical Perspective and Defense

Responding to criticism, Tharoor drew a parallel with Nehru’s handling of the 1962 China war setback and Indira Gandhi’s imposition of Emergency in 1975, emphasizing that the entirety of a political leader’s career should not be judged solely by one controversial episode. On X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor wrote, “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 underscored that reducing Advani’s decades of service to a single controversial event would be unfair. “Reducing his long years of service to one episode, however significant, is also unfair,” he said, signaling his belief in evaluating leaders in the context of their entire career rather than isolated incidents.

Political Sensitivities and Electoral Context

Tharoor’s comments come at a politically sensitive time, as India heads into assembly elections in Bihar, where BJP and Congress are among the main contenders. The remarks have reignited debates over ideological allegiances, the balance between political history and personal conduct, and how public figures navigate praise and criticism in a highly polarized environment.

Advani, who played a pivotal role in the BJP’s rise as a national force, was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, this year. While he spearheaded the Ram Janmabhoomi movement through the Rath Yatra in 1990, a court has since cleared Advani and other leaders of direct responsibility for the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. Nonetheless, the Yatra remains a deeply sensitive subject in India’s political memory.

Tharoor’s acknowledgment of Advani’s contributions and his call for a balanced assessment have drawn both praise and criticism, reflecting the nuanced debates that surround historical interpretation and contemporary political optics.

Tharoor’s Broader Critique of Dynastic Politics

The controversy is only the latest in a series of instances where Tharoor has publicly deviated from Congress party orthodoxy. In a recent article, Tharoor critiqued the Nehru-Gandhi family’s dynastic hold over the Congress, describing it as detrimental to meritocratic political leadership. He wrote, “The influence of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty… is bound up with the history of India’s struggle for freedom. But it has also cemented the idea that political leadership can be a birthright…”

In this write-up, Tharoor did not cite any BJP leaders’ families, leading to praise from the BJP and renewed attention to intra-party disagreements within Congress. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla referred to Tharoor as a “khatron ke khiladi” (playing with danger) for his direct call-out of Rahul Gandhi, while CR Kesavan called it a “truth bomb,” urging Rahul Gandhi to respond.

Tharoor’s statements on dynastic politics, combined with his defense of Advani, signal a broader pattern of independent commentary by the senior Congress leader, who has often courted controversy by blending historical perspective with contemporary political critique.

Public Reaction and Media Discourse

The exchange on X between Tharoor and Hegde, alongside the historical references invoked, has generated widespread discussion in media and public forums. Analysts note that Tharoor’s approach reflects an attempt to encourage nuanced debate in a political climate often dominated by polarized narratives. By placing Advani’s Rath Yatra within the broader context of his career, Tharoor appears to advocate for evaluating leaders holistically rather than simplifying complex political histories into singular episodes.

Supporters of Tharoor argue that such contextualization is essential to a mature political discourse, allowing citizens to recognize both achievements and controversies in a balanced manner. Critics, however, contend that praising leaders associated with divisive movements risks normalizing actions that had severe social repercussions.

Advani’s Historical Role and Recognition

LK Advani’s political career spans several decades, during which he contributed significantly to shaping the BJP as a national political force. He is widely recognized for his strategic acumen, oratory skills, and organizational capabilities within the party. The conferral of the Bharat Ratna in 2025 acknowledges his contributions to public service and Indian politics.

Despite the controversies surrounding the Rath Yatra and its implications for communal tensions, Advani remains a towering figure in Indian politics, embodying both ideological influence and pragmatic leadership. Tharoor’s birthday wishes highlight these dimensions, emphasizing service, decency, and statesmanship, even as debates continue over the historical impact of specific events associated with his career.

Conclusion

Shashi Tharoor’s defense of LK Advani on his 98th birthday has reignited discussions on political legacies, ideological evaluation, and the interpretation of historical episodes in contemporary India. By invoking the examples of Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Tharoor calls for a nuanced approach that considers the totality of a leader’s career rather than isolating controversial incidents.

The episode underscores the ongoing tensions within Indian political discourse, where historical achievements, controversial actions, and contemporary interpretations intersect. It also illustrates Tharoor’s continued role as a provocative commentator within Congress, unafraid to challenge party lines while advocating for broader perspectives on political legacies.

As debates continue over Rath Yatra, the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and the broader implications of political leadership in India, Tharoor’s comments serve as a reminder that historical evaluation in a democratic society is rarely straightforward. Leaders, analysts, and the public are challenged to navigate these complexities with attention to context, evidence, and the multifaceted nature of political life.

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