New Delhi: A seemingly innocuous birthday wish from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor to veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani has ignited a political firestorm, exposing ideological fault lines and drawing sharp reactions from both within the Congress party and the BJP.

On Saturday, Tharoor extended his greetings to Advani on his 98th birthday, praising his "unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India". He described Advani as "a true statesman whose life of service has been exemplary".

However, Tharoor's tribute sparked immediate criticism online, with some accusing him of "whitewashing" Advani's political legacy, particularly his role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the 1990 Ram Rath Yatra. Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hegde responded to Tharoor's post on X, stating, "Sorry Mr Tharoor, unleashing the 'dragon seeds of hatred' (to quote Khushwant Singh) in this country is NOT public service".

Tharoor defended his remarks, arguing that Advani's career should not be reduced to one episode, "however significant". He drew a parallel to Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, stating that just as Nehru's career cannot be judged solely by the "China setback" and Indira Gandhi's by the Emergency, the same fairness should be extended to Advani.

The Congress party swiftly distanced itself from Tharoor's remarks. A party spokesperson stated that Tharoor "speaks for himself" and that his views do not reflect the party's position. The spokesperson added that Tharoor's continued expression of personal opinions, even as a CWC member, demonstrates the party's "democratic and liberal spirit". According to India TV News, the Congress 'outrightly' distanced itself from Tharoor’s recent remarks.

The BJP, predictably, seized the opportunity to criticize the Congress. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla suggested that Tharoor's remarks reflect his "disappointment with Rahul Gandhi". He labeled Tharoor a "khatron ke khiladi" (one who plays with danger).

The incident highlights the ongoing debate about how to assess the legacies of complex political figures, especially in the context of India's polarized political landscape. Tharoor's attempt to offer a nuanced perspective on Advani's contributions has been interpreted by some as an attempt to whitewash a controversial past, while others see it as a call for a more balanced and comprehensive understanding of Indian political history.

This is not the first time Tharoor has faced criticism for his views on BJP leaders. In 2021, he was "appalled" by the backlash he received for wishing Advani a happy birthday, lamenting the lack of civility in Indian political discourse. These recurring incidents raise questions about the limits of dissent and individual expression within political parties, particularly when it comes to engaging with figures from opposing ideological camps.