Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Tharoor Declines Veer Savarkar Award
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, was named as a recipient of the Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025.
However, he declined the award because he was not aware of it and had not given his consent.
He also criticized the organizers for announcing his name without checking with him first.
The award is presented by an NGO called High Range Rural Development Society and will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Some Congress leaders, like K Muraleedharan, said that accepting the award would insult and embarrass the Congress party.
The organizers claimed that Tharoor was informed about the award in advance and had met with their representatives, which Tharoor denied.
Shashi Tharoor was named a recipient of the Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025 without his consent.
Tharoor declined the award, citing lack of clarification about the award and the organization.
He criticized the organizers for announcing his name without his prior consent.
The award is presented by the High Range Rural Development Society and will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Congress leader K Muraleedharan stated that no party member should accept an award in the name of Veer Savarkar.
- Who
- Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP
- What
- Declined the Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025
- When
- December 10, 2025
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- Due to lack of clarification about the award and the organization, and lack of prior consent
Congress Party
Organizers of the Award
Acceptance of the Award
Congress Party
Congress leader K Muraleedharan stated that no party member should accept an award in the name of Veer Savarkar, asserting that it would 'insult and embarrass the Congress.'
Organizers of the Award
The organizers of the Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025 named Shashi Tharoor as a recipient without his consent, announcing it publicly.
Communication About the Award
Congress Party
Tharoor claimed he was not informed about the award and learned about it through media reports.
Organizers of the Award
Aji Krishnan, secretary of HRDS India, claimed that Tharoor was informed about the award well in advance and had even met with representatives of the organization.
- Award Name
- Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025
- Organizer
- High Range Rural Development Society (HRDS)
- Inauguration
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
- Location
- NDMC Convention Hall, New Delhi
- Date
- December 10, 2025
- Tharoor's Response
- Declined the award, citing lack of clarification and prior consent
- Congress Party's Stance
- No party member should accept an award in the name of Veer Savarkar
- Organizers' Claim
- Tharoor was informed about the award well in advance and had met with representatives
Sources
Shashi Tharoor Declines 'Veer Savarkar Award' With A Jibe At Organisers
'Absence Of Clarifications': Shashi Tharoor Says Will Not Accept ‘Veer Savarkar Award’
Shashi Tharoor, chosen for Veer Savarkar award, says won’t accept; NGO organisers claim he knew in advance
Will Not Accept 'Veer Savarkar Award' Nor Attend The Ceremony: Shashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor refuses Veer Savarkar award, denies consent; organisers insist he was informed
Won't accept Savarkar award or attend event: Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor declines Veer Savarkar Award, calls organisers’ move ‘irresponsible’
Shashi Tharoor Clarifies He Never Knew About Or Accepted ‘Veer Savarkar Award’
Why Shashi Tharoor refused the ‘Veer Savarkar’ award
