Shashi Tharoor Savarkar Award: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is often in the news for his political activities.
These days, he’s in the headlines for an award show.
The Congress leader’s name was suddenly announced as a candidate for the Veer Savarkar Award, without his knowledge. On Wednesday, December 10, Tharoor stated that he learned of his selection for the Veer Savarkar Award through media reports and that he had neither consented to accept the award nor had any communication with the organizers. Tharoor clarified that the organizers had taken an “irresponsible” step by announcing his name without his permission.
What did Tharoor say?
Tharoor wrote on the social media platform X that he was surprised to learn about the award while speaking to the media during voting in the local self-government elections in Kerala. He stated that he was neither aware of the program nor had he ever accepted it.
Tharoor wrote in the post that, “I learned from the media that I have been announced as the recipient of the Veer Savarkar Award. I learned of this only yesterday. I clarified that I was unaware of this award and had not accepted it. It is irresponsible to announce my name without my consent.”
After returning to Delhi, he continued to receive questions about the matter, prompting him to publicly clarify the situation. He stated that he would not attend the event until clarity was provided on the nature of the award, the organizing body, and other details of the event. Meanwhile, the “Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025” will be in New Delhi. The same event where Tharoor was reportedly announced as an honoree is being held. The award is being organized by the High Range Rural Development Society (HRDS). The event will be held at the NDMC Convention Hall, where individuals and organizations making impressive contributions to national development, social reform, and humanitarian service will be honored. Several prominent figures will attend the event. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the event, and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will be the chief guest. What is the controversy surrounding Savarkar? The award is inspired by the legacy of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who continues to be widely discussed in political and social circles. The organizers say the award aims to honor work that brings positive change to society. However, the ceremony has become a subject of political debate after Tharoor distanced himself from the award. Tharoor says he had no prior knowledge of the event, plunging the entire matter into a new controversy.
