Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor on Friday posted on X that he is somewhat bemused to learn the attacks on him and that he has nothing more to say if 25 second clip in which he denounced the terrorist attack of October 7 was being used to negate his support for the human rights of the Palestinian people. He posted a video of him saying that he stands always with the people of Palestine.
Somewhat bemused to learn of the attacks on me by those who, out of a 32-minute speech, have chosen to dwell on the 25 seconds in which I denounced the terrorist attacks of October 7 that triggered the current cycle of violence & disproportionate retribution. If that’s all it… pic.twitter.com/BfOit4q9JT
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 27, 2023
Tharoor made his controversial remark while attending a Human Rights Rally in Kozhikode district, Kerala organized by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). While delivering the speech in the event, Tharoor referred the attack of Hamas militants on Israel on October 7 as ‘terrorist attack’ and this has sparked a heated debate.
And in response to Tharoor’s comment, IUML leader MK Muneer said that the people who fight for freedom are not terrorists. He also added that the British too portrayed the fights of Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose as terror activities.
“Those fighting for freedom in Palestine’s Gaza are seen by imperialists countries as terrorism. Palestine’s struggle is for freedom while Israel is engaged in genocide,” Muneer said.
CPI(M) leader M Swaraj reminded Tharoor that the history began way long back than October 7.
Tharoor in his speech condemned the acts of Israel and said that the ongoing bombardment of Gaza is no longer proportionate. “Israel calls their operation, “Swords of Iron”, but now those swords are dipped in the blood of children,” he said.
Tharoor also added that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East was ‘not a Muslim issue, but a human right issue’.
The Congress leader appealed to the world to unite to end what he called the human rights violence inflicted on the Palestinian people. He urged Israel to put an end to the campaign of bombing. “Now, it is more than time to announce a ceasefire,” he said.