A fresh political debate erupted on Saturday after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor publicly backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position on protecting Indian sailors caught in conflict zones.
The comments quickly sparked reactions from BJP leaders, who used the opportunity to criticize Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Tharoor Endorses Modi’s Position
Speaking about Prime Minister Modi’s recent discussions with US President Donald Trump and developments in West Asia, Tharoor said the Prime Minister was right to stress that civilian sailors working on commercial ships should not be treated as combatants during military conflicts.
According to Tharoor, India has thousands of sailors working on vessels across the world, many of which sail under foreign flags. He emphasized that civilian crew members should be protected regardless of the country in which their ships are registered.
“When it comes to Indian sailors, the Prime Minister made an important point. Civilian seafarers engaged in commercial shipping should not be treated as participants in a war,” Tharoor said.
The Congress MP also expressed hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts and ceasefire initiatives in the region would help restore peace and stability.
Remarks Contrast With Congress Criticism
Tharoor’s comments stand out because several Congress leaders have recently criticized the central government over the deaths of Indian nationals in conflict-affected areas of West Asia.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had questioned the government’s response and accused it of not doing enough to address concerns regarding Indian citizens caught in the violence.
Against this backdrop, Tharoor’s endorsement of Modi’s position drew immediate political attention.
BJP Launches Fresh Attack on Rahul Gandhi
The BJP was quick to highlight Tharoor’s remarks and portray them as a contradiction to the Congress party’s broader criticism of the government.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla described Tharoor’s statement as a “birthday gift” to Rahul Gandhi, whose birthday was celebrated a day earlier.
Poonawalla argued that Tharoor’s comments undermined what he called the Opposition’s narrative against the Prime Minister.
He also pointed to Tharoor’s earlier compliments for Modi, recalling occasions when the Congress MP had described the Prime Minister as visionary, dynamic, and an effective communicator.
In a social media post, Poonawalla sarcastically remarked that he hoped Rahul Gandhi would not “sack” Tharoor for praising Modi.
BJP Claims Growing Recognition of Modi’s Leadership
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also entered the debate, claiming that Tharoor’s remarks reflected a broader acknowledgment of Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic approach.
According to Bhandari, issues involving India’s national interests should rise above party politics.
The BJP leaders argued that Tharoor’s statement highlighted differences within the Congress on matters related to foreign policy and national security.
Congress Yet to Respond
As of now, the Congress party has not issued an official response to the BJP’s criticism or to the political controversy triggered by Tharoor’s remarks.
The development has once again brought attention to the frequent political sparring between the BJP and Congress, especially on issues involving foreign affairs, diplomacy, and India’s global interests.
With political temperatures rising ahead of future electoral battles, comments from senior leaders across party lines are likely to continue generating significant debate.
