Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has been announced as one of the recipients of the inaugural Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025, presented by HRDS India, during a ceremony held in New Delhi on December 11, 2025. However, amidst speculation about internal party disagreements, Tharoor made it clear that he will not accept the award, criticizing the organizers for announcing his name without his consent.
In a statement to reporters in New Delhi, Tharoor emphasized that he would not attend the award ceremony unless he receives clarification regarding the award’s nature and the organization behind it. He remarked that it was irresponsible for the organizers to list his name without his prior agreement, revealing that he learned about the award only the day before. “I am not going. I am not here,” he added.
Later, in a post on social media platform X, Tharoor elaborated on his position, saying, “In the absence of clarifications about the award’s nature, the organization presenting it, or any other context, the question of my attending the event or accepting the award does not arise.” He noted that he first discovered he was named as a recipient through media reports while voting in Kerala for local body elections, reiterating he had neither been aware of nor accepted such an award. Tharoor felt compelled to issue a statement to clarify the situation after media questions persisted.
In contrast, Aji Krishnan, the secretary of the Highrange Rural Development Society (HRDS), which is coordinating the award, countered Tharoor’s claims. Krishnan stated that Tharoor had been informed well in advance and had even requested a list of other award recipients during a meeting at his residence. “He has not yet informed us that he will not attend,” Krishnan asserted, suggesting that concerns over the award were politically motivated.
While Tharoor stressed his ignorance about the award on Tuesday, a wave of skepticism arose, particularly among party members. Congress leader K Muraleedharan commented that no party member, including Tharoor, should accept an award in Savarkar’s name, citing that Savarkar had “bowed before the British.” Muraleedharan expressed doubt that Tharoor would accept the award, emphasizing that it would reflect poorly on the Congress party. Meanwhile, Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev stated that whether or not Tharoor accepts the award is ultimately his decision.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/news/india/shashi-tharoor-to-receive-veer-savarkar-award-congress-mp-says-his-name-was-announced-without-consent-8225401/
Category: India,Shashi Tharoor
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Publish Date: 2025-12-11 17:10:00
