Tharoor's remark was in response to a question regarding Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's recent post on X that the RSS-BJP wants Manusmriti instead of the Constitution.
Published Jun 30, 2025 | 12:14 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 30, 2025 | 12:14 PM
Shashi Tharoor.
Synopsis: Shashi Tharoor claimed that the RSS has “moved on” from advocating Manusmriti over the Constitution in response to a remark made by Rahul Gandhi. However, not long ago, Tharoor used to criticise the RSS for rejecting the idea of the Constitution and upholding traditions like the Manusmriti.
Amid an intensifying rift with the Congress leadership, Thiruvananthapuram MP and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Shashi Tharoor said on Sunday 29, June, that the RSS has “moved on” from advocating Manusmriti over the Constitution — comments which sparked political debate about his position within the party.
Tharoor’s remark was in response to a question regarding Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s recent post on X that the RSS-BJP wants Manusmriti instead of the Constitution.
Tharoor said that historically, Rahul Gandhi was right, as former RSS chief MS Golwalkar had claimed that one of the greatest flaws of the Constitution is that no part of the Manusmriti is in it.
“Historically, he’s (Rahul Gandhi) referring to the fact that that was a criticism expressed at the time of the adoption of the Constitution. Golwalkar, amongst others, said that one of the greatest flaws of the Constitution is that there is nothing of the Manusmriti in it, but I think the RSS itself has moved on from those days. So, as a historical statement, it’s accurate, whether it’s a reflection of how they feel today. The RSS should be in the best position to answer that…” Tharoor said.
The remarks of Tharoor intensified the speculation that he might join the BJP amidst the differences between Congress leaders. However, he had said that if there were issues to discuss with the party, they would be “discussed privately” and when it was appropriate.
However, not long ago, Tharoor used to criticise the RSS for rejecting the idea of the Constitution and upholding traditions like the Manusmriti.
In his article published in The Indian Express in July 2024, he had slammed the BJP and the RSS for having faith in the political doctrine of “Hindutva”, rather than in the broader philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of Hinduism.
“The fact is that Hinduism is the faith adhered to by some 80 per cent of the Indian population and therefore by huge majorities in every political party, including both the BJP and Congress. Whereas the RSS-BJP faith is in the political doctrine of “Hindutva”, rather than in the broader philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of Hinduism, Hindus in Congress tend to profess an understanding of the faith taught not by politicians but by religious preceptors,” he had said.
He had also praised Rahul Gandhi for taking on the RSS “as a Hindu who cherishes the principles of non-violence, acceptance and inclusion he has learned from his faith”.
“The RSS has consistently rejected the idea of India enshrined in the Constitution, dismissing it as a Western construct unconnected to Indian traditions like the Manusmriti. When Rahul Gandhi takes on the RSS, he does so both from the platform of the Constitution and as a Hindu who cherishes the principles of non-violence, acceptance and inclusion he has learned from his faith. Those who have advocated hatred for, and conducted violence against, Muslims and other minorities betray both Hinduism and the Constitution,” he had written.
He had also accused the BJP of having a rigid belief in Hindutva, which, according to him, is dangerous for the survival of our country.
Further, in his book Why I Am a Hindu, Tharoor said Golwalkar and the RSS are/had been passionate advocates of “cultural nationalism”. “This, of course, is directly opposed to the civic nationalism enshrined in the Constitution of India,” he wrote.
Following Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April, Tharoor has been a vocal supporter of the BJP government at the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As part of India’s diplomatic offensive under Operation Sindoor, the Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had named seven multi-party delegations to visit key partner countries and present India’s position on recent global developments. Tharoor has been heading the fifth delegation, which visited the United States, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia.
During the outreach programmes, Tharoor praised the Union government’s approach and hailed Modi’s vision.
In an article published in The Hindu on 23 June, Tharoor said Modi’s energy, dynamism and willingness to engage remain a “prime asset” for India on the global stage but deserve greater backing. Tharoor said the diplomatic outreach following “Operation Sindoor” was a moment of national resolve and effective communication.
Following that, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Tharoor was in the CWC because of his good English. In an apparent dig at Tharoor, Kharge said for some people, it was Modi first, while the Congress puts the nation first. Tharoor retorted with a cryptic post on X saying he needed nobody’s permission to “fly”.
Tharoor also voiced his displeasure over being left out of the Nilambur by-election campaign in Kerala and said that no one from the party had invited him to participate in the campaign.
With Tharoor’s rift with the Congress leadership intensifying, political circles are eagerly awaiting what might unfold in the near future.
