Not attack on Congress, says Shashi Tharoor amid row over remarks at Mumbai event

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor clarified on Saturday that his remarks at a Mumbai event were not an attack on his party. While speaking at an event celebrating the 15th anniversary of India’s International Movement to Unite Nations, Tharoor was questioned about why the Congress was struggling to mobilize students like the Janata Dal (United) had during protests at Jantar Mantar over alleged exam irregularities.

Tharoor addressed the issue, stating that established parties must listen to new voices and address how young people can enter and make a difference in these parties. He admitted that the Congress had not effectively listened to Gen Z and emphasized the need to wake up and “smell the coffee.” Tharoor further explained that issues like paper leaks, which were addressed during the “Chhatron ki Goonj” initiative, were taken up by the Congress earlier and failed to resonate with the youth.

He responded to the distorted media interpretations by posting an uncut video of his conversation with Rishabh Shah on X, asking viewers to judge for themselves. Senior Congress leaders did not comment on Tharoor’s remarks.