Shashi Tharoor Faces Backlash Over Comments on India's Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Tharoor Responds to Criticism from Party Colleagues
Panama: On Thursday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor defended himself against what he termed as 'zealots', likely referring to fellow Congress member Udit Raj, who criticized his remarks regarding India's evolving counter-terrorism strategies. Tharoor asserted that his comments were being misrepresented for personal agendas.
While traveling from Panama to Bogota, Colombia, as part of India's global outreach initiative known as Operation Sindoor, Tharoor took to social media to clarify that he was specifically addressing responses to terrorist acts, not historical conflicts.
Udit Raj expressed his discontent with Tharoor's acknowledgment of the Modi administration's strict anti-terrorism stance, labeling him as the BJP's 'super spokesperson'.
In a pointed response on social media, Tharoor addressed his critics without naming them, stating, 'For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC... I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars.'
He added that while critics are free to misinterpret his statements, he has 'better things to do'. Tharoor emphasized that his comments were contextualized by referencing numerous attacks in recent years, during which India's responses were measured and respectful of the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).
The controversy ignited after Tharoor, leading a multi-party delegation, remarked that India's approach to terrorism has shifted, indicating that terrorists now recognize they will face repercussions for their actions.
His statements were met with backlash from party members who accused him of undermining the Congress party's historical legacy.
Udit Raj suggested that Tharoor should be recognized as a spokesperson for the BJP, arguing that he was 'denigrating the golden history of Congress' by implying that prior to the Modi government, India never crossed the LoC or international borders.
Raj recalled historical military actions, stating, 'In 1965, the Indian Army entered Pakistan at multiple points, surprising the Pakistanis in the Lahore sector. In 1971, India split Pakistan into two, and during the UPA government, several surgical strikes were conducted without politicizing them. How could you be so dishonest to the party that gave you so much?'
Congress leader Pawan Khera also supported Raj's criticism by sharing his tweet.