Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday formally rejected ongoing comparisons between the political climate in India and the recent unrest witnessed in Bangladesh and France. The Thiruvananthapuram MP was responding to allegations made by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who had previously suggested that certain political groups and "anti-India" elements were colluding to provoke youth-led unrest across the country.
Tharoor firmly dismissed these analogies, asserting that the political situation in India is distinct from countries where recent demonstrations have descended into violence, including the destruction of public property. "I think that India is not Bangladesh and India is not France," Tharoor stated, adding that he does not view such comparisons as relevant to the current domestic situation. He stressed that he does not condone violence, noting that any protest supported by the opposition must remain strictly peaceful and grounded in democratic norms.
The controversy stems from the opposition's use of the phrase "regime change," which has drawn sharp criticism from ruling party members. Addressing these concerns, Tharoor argued that the term is being intentionally misrepresented by political opponents. He maintained that the core demand of the opposition is not the illegal removal of an administration, but rather a robust push for electoral reform. "What we are calling for is free and fair elections," he clarified during his interactions.
A central point of contention for the opposition involves the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Tharoor raised significant concerns regarding the process, describing the recent deletions from voter lists as "troublesome, irregular, and partially illegal." He framed the opposition's activities as a constitutional matter, arguing that they are seeking to reverse these electoral irregularities rather than destabilize the state.
The political friction has intensified amid protests directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The situation was further compounded by comments from senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, who referred to the movement against the Election Commission as a "fight for regime change," and remarks from AISA president Neha Bora, who had previously referenced the youth-led movement in Bangladesh.
Tharoor also addressed the role of constitutional institutions, clarifying that he is not challenging the existence of bodies like the Election Commission, but rather their current conduct. "I’m not in any way challenging these institutions as institutions. I’m challenging the way they are behaving, the way they are conducting themselves," the Congress leader said. He urged the commission to perform its duties in accordance with the Indian Constitution, stating that such accountability is a matter of national concern.
Emphasizing the responsibility of the public, Tharoor concluded by asserting that democracy in India is not a "gift" from any particular entity. He described ordinary citizens as the primary custodians of the nation's democratic framework, possessing the inherent right to demand that constitutional bodies function transparently. The lawmaker reaffirmed that his advocacy remains rooted in these principles, standing in direct contrast to the narratives of instability currently being pushed by government ministers.
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