Shashi Tharoor quotes RSS man likening Narendra Modi to ‘scorpion sitting on a Shivling’, kicks row
Shashi Tharoor.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, on Sunday, compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “scorpion sitting on a Shivling”, while quoting to an unnamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) source, who had spoken to a journalist named Vinod Jose before Modi was elected as to power.
In a video clip tweeted by news agency ANI, Tharoor is heard saying: “There’s an extraordinarily striking metaphor expressed by an unnamed RSS source to a journalist that ‘Modi is like a scorpion sitting on a Shivling – you can't remove him with your hand and you cannot hit it with a chappal either.’”
#WATCH Shashi Tharoor in Bengaluru, says, "There's an extraordinarily striking metaphor expressed by an unnamed RSS source to a journalist, that, "Modi is like a scorpion sitting on a Shivling, you can't remove him with your hand & you cannot hit it with a chappal either."(27.10) pic.twitter.com/E6At7WrCG5
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2018
This immediately triggered a political row with the BJP seeking an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Talking to reporters, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “While Rahul Gandhi who claims himself to be a Shiv bhakt, one of his small leaders has almost abused the sanctity of Shivlinga and Lord Mahadev by referring to chappal attack through unnamed sources.”
Later, he tweeted a video clip with his own reaction to the media and wrote: “Shashi Tharoor who is accused in a murder case has attempted to disrespect Lord Shiva.”
Shashi Tharoor who is accused in a murder case has attempted to disrespect Lord Shiva.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) October 28, 2018
I seek a reply from Rahul Gandhi who claims himself to be a Bhakt of Lord Shiva on this horrific denunciation of Hindu gods by a Congress MP.
Rahul Gandhi must apologize to all Hindus. pic.twitter.com/QeShJoCHDZ
Following this, Tharoor replied to Prasad on Twitter asking him which murder case the minister was speaking of.
Which “murder case” is this, or are you planning to invent one, Mr Law Minister?
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 28, 2018
Later, Tharoor tweeted that Rahul Gandhi has no reason to apologize and the “scorpion” quote was in public domain for years.
The BJP is like a schoolyard bully. They strut about pushing other people around, but when they are socked in the face by the truth, they run to complain to the headmaster. Why should RahulGandhi apologize4a 6yr-old statement by an RSS leader? Ask RSS what they think abt Moditva! https://t.co/jcG1YyHo4e
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 28, 2018
This comment (not by me) has been in the public domain for six years. RSPrasad making an issue of a 6yr old quote shows how little new the BJP has to offer the nation. As for media subserving the BJP’s desire for “controversy”, when will this “profession”develop any self-respect? https://t.co/RF8xxQLjzq
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 28, 2018
He then tweeted a couple of photos of a Shivling in his Delhi house and invited Prasad to come and “show some respect”.
Since Shivlings are in the news, here are moments of my life with Shivlings, one in happier times, the other more recently in the mandir at my Delhi home. Glad to invite RSPrasad to show some respect when he is in the neighbourhood. Or at least more respect than he shows the law. pic.twitter.com/vIjDtf27k3
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 29, 2018
Later, Vinod Jose too chipped in with a tweet and called Prasad’s reaction as “funny”.
It’s funny RSPrasad would attack @ShashiTharoor for a scorpion quote I received from an RSS leader 7 yrs ago (in 2011 Nov) & published in ‘12 March issue of @thecaravanindia. Modi profile was then discussed in national TV; then & now don’t wan’t to know who the RSS leader was? https://t.co/509S61YrXm
— Vinod K. Jose (@vinodjose) October 29, 2018
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