Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Tharoor's Praise for Advani Sparks Debate on Divisive Legacy
A politician named Shashi Tharoor said nice things about an older politician, L.K. Advani, on his birthday, calling him a great leader.
Tharoor also said that people shouldn't just remember one event from Advani's past, like a big march he did many years ago called the Rath Yatra.
However, a writer named Ramachandra Guha strongly disagreed.
He wrote that Advani's march was very bad because it caused a lot of fighting and sadness between different groups of people in India, especially Hindus and Muslims.
Guha believes Advani was the most divisive politician in India's history because of this march.
He pointed out that Advani's actions were very different from leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, who tried to bring people together peacefully.
Guha believes the harmful politics started by Advani still affects India today.
Shashi Tharoor praised L.K. Advani on his 98th birthday, calling him a 'true statesman' and defending his public service record.
Historian Ramachandra Guha reposted an article calling Advani 'the most divisive politician in independent India' for his role in the 1990 Rath Yatra, which allegedly fueled communal disharmony.
Guha argues Advani is more culpable than other leaders for communal violence as he intentionally capitalized on existing divisions with his Rath Yatra.
The Rath Yatra is described as having galvanized Hindutva sentiment and pitting communities against each other, leading to riots and suffering.
Guha contrasts Advani's actions with Mahatma Gandhi's efforts to promote tolerance and harmony.
- Who
- Shashi Tharoor (Congress MP), L.K. Advani (BJP veteran), Ramachandra Guha (Historian/Writer)
- What
- Shashi Tharoor's praise for L.K. Advani on his birthday has resurfaced criticism from Ramachandra Guha, who labels Advani as India's most divisive politician for his role in the 1990 Rath Yatra.
- When
- The context involves L.K. Advani's 98th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. Guha's critique was originally published in December 2017 and reposted recently.
- Where
- The discussion is taking place through social media and published commentary.
- Why
- Tharoor's praise prompted Guha to repost his critical analysis of Advani's legacy, highlighting the ongoing debate about the impact of the Rath Yatra on India's social and political fabric.
Critics View Advani's Rath Yatra as Divisive and Harmful
Tharoor Defends Advani's Statesmanship and Public Service
Impact of the 1990 Rath Yatra
Critics View Advani's Rath Yatra as Divisive and Harmful
Ramachandra Guha argues that Advani's Rath Yatra galvanized Hindutva sentiment, pitting communities against each other and contributing significantly to communal disharmony and violence, including in Bhagalpur. Khushwant Singh stated Advani "sowed the seeds of communal disharmony."
Tharoor Defends Advani's Statesmanship and Public Service
Shashi Tharoor believes Advani's "unwavering commitment to public service" and other qualities define his legacy, suggesting he should not be solely judged by the 1990 Rath Yatra.
Role in Communal Violence and Culpability
Critics View Advani's Rath Yatra as Divisive and Harmful
Guha contends that Advani is more culpable than Rajiv Gandhi or Narendra Modi in instances of communal violence because he deliberately capitalized on existing animosity with his Rath Yatra. Guha labels Advani as 'the most divisive politician in the history of independent India' for intensifying religious conflict.
Tharoor Defends Advani's Statesmanship and Public Service
Tharoor's praise suggests a nuanced view of Advani's career, implying that his contributions to public service should be considered alongside controversies.
Historical Comparison of Yatras
Critics View Advani's Rath Yatra as Divisive and Harmful
Guha contrasts Advani's actions with Mahatma Gandhi's yatras, which promoted tolerance and harmony, highlighting Advani's intensification of religious conflict instead of its containment.
Tharoor Defends Advani's Statesmanship and Public Service
Tharoor's defense frames Advani as a 'true statesman', implicitly evaluating his overall career in contrast to divisive actions.
- Shashi Tharoor's Statement
- Praised L.K. Advani on his 98th birthday, calling him a 'true statesman' with an 'unwavering commitment to public service', modesty, and decency.
- Ramachandra Guha's Criticism
- Reposted a 2017 article labeling Advani 'the most divisive politician in the history of independent India' due to his role in the 1990 Rath Yatra.
- Advani's Rath Yatra (1990)
- A political march conceived and led by L.K. Advani that aimed to galvanize Hindutva sentiment and is seen by critics as having significantly contributed to communal disharmony and violence.
- Comparison to Gandhi's Yatras
- Guha contrasts Advani's divisive march with Mahatma Gandhi's yatras, which aimed at promoting tolerance, undermining colonial rule, and fighting social injustices.
- Advani's Culpability
- Guha argues Advani is more culpable than Rajiv Gandhi or Narendra Modi in certain instances of communal violence as he 'cold-bloodedly set out to capitalise on' existing hate and set groups against each other.
- Advani's Legacy
- Guha suggests Advani would still rank in the top three, if not first, for showing the BJP how to win elections by setting Hindus against Muslims, despite the human suffering and damage caused.
Sources
Shashi Tharoor defends Advani on Rath Yatra ‘episode’, cites Indira Gandhi’s emergency, and Nehru’s China setback
Cong distances itself from Tharoor’s remarks on Advani
‘Unfair to reduce Advani's years of service to one episode,’ Tharoor slams critic, cites Indira Gandhi's ‘Emergency’
'Can't Be Judged By One Episode': Shashi Tharoor Defends Advani On Rath Yatra, Cong Distances Itself
Shashi Tharoor's LK Advani Post Gets A Congress Rebuttal
'Like always, speaks for himself': Congress distances itself as Shashi Tharoor praises LK Advani
Tharoor's remarks on Advani draw rebuke from Congress
‘Speaks for himself…’: Congress distances itself from Tharoor's praise for Lal Krishna Advani
‘Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself’: Congress disowns party MP’s remarks praising BJP veteran Advani
'Speaks for himself': Congress distances itself from Tharoor’s praise for L.K. Advani
‘Like always, Dr Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself’, says Congress after Lok Sabha MP’s birthday greetings to L K Advani drew ire online
Congress distances itself from Tharoor’s praise for Advani: ‘He speaks for himself’
‘Speaks for himself,’ says Congress after Shashi Tharoor lauded LK Advani’s ‘unwavering commitment to public service’
Tharoor calls Advani a ‘true statesman’; Congress distances itself from remarks
Congress dissociates itself from Shashi Tharoor’s praise for LK Advani, says he ‘speaks for himself’
