“Modi Government Not Anti-Democracy, but Nehru’s Mistakes Must Be Acknowledged”: Shashi Tharoor

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again made a statement likely to stir debate within his party while giving the BJP an opportunity to critique Congress. Tharoor emphasized that while India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, deserves recognition as the founder of Indian democracy, it is also necessary to acknowledge his mistakes. However, he cautioned against blaming Nehru for all of India’s problems.

“I am a supporter of Jawaharlal Nehru, but not a blind one,” Tharoor said. “I have great respect for his ideas and vision, though I cannot agree with all his beliefs and policies. Much of what he accomplished was highly commendable. Most importantly, Nehru firmly established democracy in India. I would not say that the current government is anti-democracy, but they are certainly anti-Nehru. Nehru has been turned into a convenient scapegoat.”

On Criticism of Nehru
Reflecting on history, Tharoor acknowledged that some criticism of Nehru by the current government might have merit. “For example, Nehru can be held partly responsible for the loss against China in 1962,” he noted. “But what is happening now is that Nehru is being blamed for everything, in every issue.”

Personal Memories and Reflections
Tharoor also shared glimpses from his childhood, recalling how he was an avid reader from a very young age and even wrote a novel that was ruined by spilled ink. He spoke fondly of Kerala’s strong reading culture and reminisced about his college days, including acting in a play, highlighting the formative experiences that shaped his intellectual and creative pursuits.