Shashi Tharoor spoke on Saturday to clear up confusion about his earlier remarks on Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ program. He said the media had taken his words out of context and portrayed them as an attack on his own party. Tharoor insisted that his intent was to call for greater inclusion of young people in politics.
During a press conference, Tharoor highlighted how some journalists misread his conversation with Rishabh Shah. He urged readers to watch the full video that he posted on X, claiming it would show the real meaning of his statements. Tharoor said the distortion required both incompetence and malice.
A key point in Tharoor’s message was that political parties must open their doors to the next generation. He stressed that without new voices, established parties risk losing relevance. Tharoor urged leaders to create clear pathways for young people to take part in decision‑making.
Tharoor had spoken earlier in Maharashtra about the need for opposition parties to listen to Gen Z. He referenced the protest at Jantar Mantar that took place last month. He noted that many young people felt unheard in traditional political structures.
He also compared Rahul Gandhi’s program to the Cockroach Janata Party’s protest, saying both addressed similar concerns. Tharoor asked why the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ rallies did not resonate as strongly as the Jantar Mantar event. He suggested that the parties may have failed to tap into the pulse of Gen Z.
In his X post, Tharoor shared a link to the uncut conversation with Rishabh Shah. He encouraged viewers to judge the context themselves. The video, he said, would dispel the misunderstandings.
Tharoor is a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram and a former Under‑Secretary‑General of the United Nations. His international experience shapes his views on inclusive governance.
He also posted a clip from his discussion at the India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai on August 7. The event showcased his engagement with global youth forums.
Tharoor emphasized that context matters more than commentary. He believed that the real issue lies in how parties listen to new voices. He warned that without change, established parties may become irrelevant.
In conclusion, Tharoor called on political leaders to wake up and listen to Gen Z. He urged parties to move beyond old hierarchies and give young people real opportunities to shape politics. Failure to do so, he warned, will leave parties out of touch with the electorate.