Shashi Tharoor faced backlash on taking a dig at BJP leaders amidst NEET controversy
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor faced backlash from BJP leaders over a social media post that subtly criticized the ongoing NEET exam paper leak controversy in Uttar Pradesh
Tharoor shared a viral post on his X handle where the question “Uttar Pradesh kise kehte hain? (Define Uttar Pradesh)” was answered with “Wah pradesh jahan pariksha se pehle uttar ka pata chal jaaye, use Uttar Pradesh kehte hai (The state where the answer is known before the exam is called Uttar Pradesh).” BJP leaders perceived this as an insult to the people of Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri responded critically, questioning Tharoor’s intent and reminding him of Uttar Pradesh’s significant contributions to Indian civilization, literature, and politics. Puri also pointed out the irony of Tharoor’s comments, given the Congress party’s historical ties to the state, suggesting Tharoor needed serious introspection. BJP leader CR Kesavan labeled Tharoor a “repeat offender,” referencing a previous incident where Tharoor allegedly insulted North East Indians by mocking their traditional attire.
Kesavan condemned Tharoor for trivializing a serious issue and accused him of portraying Uttar Pradesh as a state of cheaters. Rajeev Chandrashekhar, who contested against Tharoor in a Lok Sabha election, criticized Tharoor’s actions as indicative of the Congress party’s tendency to shame fellow Indians. He recalled another instance where Congress member Sam Pitroda was criticized for describing Indians as various ethnicities, suggesting a deep-seated superiority complex within the party. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also criticized Tharoor, accusing him of frequently mocking different cultures, from the Northeast to Uttar Pradesh, with caustic remarks. Sarma suggested Tharoor had succumbed to irrational and derisive behavior. The controversy highlights the tension between political leaders over issues of regional pride and the integrity of competitive examinations.
