Shashi Tharoor Praises PM Modi Again, Sparks Anger in Congress

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again triggered internal unease after publicly appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at a private event in Delhi.

His comments shared on social media renewed questions over his proximity to the ruling side and reopened discussions within his party about his ideological direction and long term political stance.

Tharoor Describes PM's Address as Inspiring and Forward Looking

Tharoor said he attended an invitation only event where the Prime Minister focused on national development, cultural revival and the need to shed a colonial mindset.

He wrote that PM Modi highlighted how India should no longer see itself as an "emerging market" but an "emerging model" and credited the nation for staying strong during the pandemic and coping with global uncertainty linked to the Ukraine conflict.

The Congress MP further quoted the Prime Minister saying he has been accused of being in "election mode" throughout his tenure but was actually operating in an "emotional mode" driven by public concerns.

Tharoor noted that the address framed development as a fusion of economic ambition and cultural self restoration. Appreciating the vision presented, he shared, "On the whole, the address served as an economic outlook and a cultural call to action, urging the nation to be restless for progress. Glad to have been in the audience..." He was seen seated next to BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad with former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad to his other side.

PM Modi Calls for Breaking Macaulay's Influence on Education

A considerable part of the Prime Minister's speech focused on Thomas Babington Macaulay, a British official credited with laying down Western oriented education in colonial India.

PM Modi claimed, "In India's traditional education system, we were taught to take pride in our culture. Our education emphasised skill along with learning. That is why Macaulay decided to break the backbone of India's education system... and he succeeded."

He went on to say, "Macaulay ensured that the British language and British thinking received greater recognition during that period, and India paid the price for it for centuries to come."

According to him, this created a sense of inferiority among Indians and damaged traditional knowledge structures. The Prime Minister also appealed for a ten year national mission aimed at restoring pride in Indian heritage, cultural values, linguistic traditions and ancient knowledge systems.

Congress Reactions and Past Instances of Divergence

Tharoor's appreciation for PM Modi is likely to deepen discomfort inside Congress since it follows earlier similar instances.

His ties with the party have appeared strained after he was chosen as part of official delegations to friendly foreign countries following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

His cordial rapport with the Prime Minister during post trip interactions drew speculation about a possible switch.

His comments praising the Prime Minister after Operation Sindoor had also caused friction.

Addressing rumours, he clarified, "It (praise for the Prime Minister) is not a sign of my leaping to join his party... as some people have, unfortunately, been implying. It is a statement of national unity..."

He reiterated that he remained loyal to the Congress and its ideology for sixteen years.

Tharoor has previously been part of the G 23 group that questioned the leadership style of the Gandhi family and demanded reforms.

Recently he wrote an article titled Indian Politics Are a Family Business examining the dominance of political dynasties including within Congress, highlighting his consistent independent and reformist approach.