“Congress Identification Of Hindu Liberalism Is…”: Shashi Tharoor
Amid Congress” decline to Ram Mandir consecration ceremony invitation, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor clarified the grand old party’s stance on Hinduism by stating that ‘Congress’ identification with Hindu liberalism is not a reaction to events in the last ten years, but a long-held conviction’ in a post on X.
Remembering the speech delivered by Congress senior leader Sonia Gandhi on National youth day 25 years ago, he wrote, by sharing the text, “25 years ago today, then Congress President Sonia Gandhiji delivered this thoughtful address at the National Youth Day function at the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi on 12th January 1999.”
25 years ago today, then Congress President Sonia Gandhiji delivered this thoughtful address at the #NationalYouthDay function at the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi on 12th January 1999. It is hard to imagine a more effective message about Swami Vivekananda’s teachings today. And… pic.twitter.com/pGuvmMD69O
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 12, 2024
Highlighting the inclusion of Swami Vivekananda’s teaching in the speech she delivered, he said “it is hard to imagine more effective message about Swami Vivekananda’s teaching today”, in the post shared on Friday.
Sonia Gandhi, in her speech, highlighted that India is secular primarily because Hinduism, both as philosophy and as a way of life, has been based on what our ancestors said “Ekam Sat, Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti”. Truth is one, the wise pursue it variously.
Upholding the teachings of Vivekananda, she highlighted that the philosophers understanding and explanation of Hinduism must be brought home to our youth. “His emphasis on literacy and social renaissance is equally relevant,” she added.
She appreciated Rajiv Gandhi’s decision to celebrate National youth day on Swami Vivekananda’s birthday, after being elected as the prime minister.
The congress senior leader said that it is tragic that Vivekananda who was widely admired and sworn by India’s pluralistic and composite heritage has been over the years sought to be appropriated by certain sections of our society who spread the politics of hate and antagonism, ‘who reject the secular foundation of our ancient civilization and who seek to distort the very message of Hinduism-that of tolerance harmony and understanding of different faith’.
