Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Shashi Tharoor Clarifies 'Drama' Remark After Nepal Flood Backlash
Shashi Tharoor wrote about serious floods in Nepal after arriving in Kathmandu.
He used the word “drama” to describe the powerful events and forces involved.
Many people thought the word sounded disrespectful because people had died or gone missing.
They criticized him online.
Tharoor explained that the word can have more than one meaning.
He said he did not mean that the disaster was like a show.
He admitted that he should have chosen a clearer word.
He also expressed sympathy and supported help for Nepal.
Shashi Tharoor faced online criticism for describing Nepal’s flood disaster as “drama.”
He said he meant “drama” as a situation involving intensely clashing forces, not as theatrical entertainment.
Tharoor acknowledged the wording could be misunderstood and said he regretted choosing it.
He described severe damage in Nepal, including destroyed bridges, washed-out roads and damaged hydropower projects.
Tharoor expressed sympathy for victims and supported India’s pledge of relief assistance to Nepal.
- Who
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, along with social media users who criticized his wording.
- What
- Tharoor clarified and expressed regret over calling the situation surrounding Nepal’s floods “drama.”
- When
- After Tharoor posted about the floods following his arrival in Kathmandu; the clarification came after online criticism.
- Where
- Nepal, particularly the northern areas including Rasuwa district near the Tibet border; the clarification was posted on X.
- Why
- He said he intended “drama” to mean a situation involving intensely clashing forces, while critics considered the word insensitive in the context of a deadly disaster.
Tharoor’s Explanation
Critics’ Objection
Meaning of “drama”
Tharoor’s Explanation
Tharoor said the word can describe a situation or series of events involving intensely clashing forces, which was the meaning he intended.
Critics’ Objection
Critics argued that “drama” was inappropriate or insensitive when describing a deadly natural disaster.
Choice of wording
Tharoor’s Explanation
Tharoor acknowledged that the word could be easily misunderstood and said he regretted choosing it.
Critics’ Objection
Some users said a less ambiguous word would have avoided the backlash, even while acknowledging his explanation.
- Controversial word
- “Drama” was used in Tharoor’s description of the disaster.
- Tharoor’s explanation
- He said he intended the meaning of a situation involving intensely clashing forces.
- Reported missing
- Tharoor cited reports that around 2,000 people or more could be missing.
- Infrastructure damage
- At least 19 motorable bridges were reportedly destroyed.
- Highway damage
- Approximately 40 kilometres of the Betrawati-Rasuwagadhi highway were reportedly washed away.
- Hydropower damage
- Eight operational hydropower projects reportedly suffered severe damage.
- Relief response
- Tharoor supported the Indian government’s immediate pledge of relief assistance to Nepal.