Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress MP, has ignited a debate by defending the legacy of L.K. Advani, the former Deputy Prime Minister and a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Tharoor argued that Advani's extensive contributions to Indian politics should not be overshadowed or reduced to a single event, drawing parallels to how historical figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi are remembered.
Tharoor made his initial remarks on November 8, 2025, while wishing Advani a happy 98th birthday. He praised Advani's "unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India," calling him a "true statesman". This prompted immediate reactions, with some critics accusing Tharoor of overlooking Advani's controversial past, particularly his involvement in the Ram Rath Yatra and its connection to the Babri Masjid demolition.
In response to the criticism, Tharoor reiterated his stance, stating, "Reducing his long years of service to one episode, however significant, is also unfair". He elaborated on this point by comparing it to the way Nehru's legacy is not solely defined by the "China setback" or Indira Gandhi's by the Emergency. Tharoor suggested that a similar "courtesy" should be extended to Advani, taking into account the entirety of his career.
The online discussion saw Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hedge criticizing Tharoor's position. Hedge argued that Advani's "unleashing the dragon seeds of hatred" through the Ram Rath Yatra could not be considered "public service". He further contended that the Rath Yatra was not just an "episode" but a "long march to reverse the foundational principles of the Indian Republic" and that its "legacy of violence continues to haunt the destiny of this country".
The "Ram Rath Yatra," organized by Advani in 1990, aimed to garner support for the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. The procession became a significant, yet controversial, event in Indian politics, eventually leading to Advani's arrest and, two years later, the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Despite the criticism, Tharoor's defense of Advani's legacy also found some support. Some observers noted the importance of recognizing Advani's contributions to Indian politics beyond the controversies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged Advani's 98th birthday, lauding him as "a statesman blessed with towering vision and intellect" and praising his dedication to strengthening India's progress.
Tharoor's comments have sparked a wider debate about how political legacies are evaluated and the extent to which controversial events should define a leader's overall contribution. His comparison of Advani to Nehru and Indira Gandhi, while intended to provide context, has further fueled the discussion, raising questions about the complexities of Indian political history and the challenges of reconciling different perspectives.
This is not the first time Tharoor has been in the news for diverging from the Congress party line. Recently, his article criticizing dynastic politics was praised by the BJP, while his own party members reacted with discomfort. In that article, Tharoor argued that the Nehru-Gandhi family's long-standing influence has "cemented the idea that political leadership can be a birthright," a sentiment that has stirred debate within and outside the Congress.
