Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again showcased his trademark wit, this time in a light-hearted exchange with his son, journalist Ishaan Tharoor, over the use of the term “boomer” on social media.
The conversation began after Ishaan reacted to Zoho co-founder and former CEO Sridhar Vembu’s suggestion that India should ban young children from using social media. Referring to the proposal, Ishaan wrote on X that while children should stay away from social media, India should first “ban Boomers on WhatsApp.”
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His remark quickly drew attention online, but it was Shashi Tharoor’s humorous response that stole the spotlight.
Replying to his son, the Congress leader joked that, unlike Western countries, India’s population patterns make every generation qualify as “baby boomers.”
“Given our reproductive patterns, my son, unlike in the West, every generation of Indians, including yours, qualifies as [baby] Boomers!” Tharoor wrote, earning praise from social media users for his trademark wordplay.
The exchange came amid a wider online debate triggered by Sridhar Vembu’s comments on children’s access to social media. Vembu had backed France’s recent decision to ban children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms, arguing that India should adopt a similar policy.
France recently became the first European Union country to pass legislation prohibiting children below 15 from accessing social media. The law also includes restrictions on mobile phone use in schools.
Supporting the move, Vembu said children should spend more time reading physical books, playing outdoors and engaging in real-world activities instead of remaining glued to mobile screens.
His proposal generated mixed reactions online. While many users supported the idea of protecting children from excessive screen time, others argued that such decisions should remain the responsibility of parents rather than the government.
Against the backdrop of the debate, the playful father-son exchange between Shashi and Ishaan Tharoor emerged as one of the internet’s most talked-about moments, with many praising the veteran politician’s quick wit.
