Congress MP Shashi Tharoor came to the defence of veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani after facing online criticism for extending birthday wishes to him. Citing examples of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Tharoor said it was unjust to judge a person’s decades-long public service based on one controversial incident.
Advani, a founding member of the BJP and India’s deputy prime minister between 2002 and 2004, turned 98 on Friday. Sharing a throwback picture with him, Tharoor described Advani as a “true statesman” known for his modesty, decency, and unwavering commitment to public service.
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However, senior advocate Sanjay Hegde disagreed, recalling Advani’s 1990 Ram Rath Yatra, which preceded the Babri Masjid demolition. He argued that the yatra had “sown the seeds of hatred,” quoting author Khushwant Singh’s criticism of the leader.
Tharoor responded that reducing Advani’s long political journey to one episode was “unfair,” adding that Nehru’s and Indira Gandhi’s legacies too couldn’t be defined by single events.
The Congress MP has previously drawn flak within his party for praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and for writing about dynastic politics — remarks that often attract appreciation from the BJP.
