Daijiworld Media Network- Panama

Panama, May 29: Senior Congress leader and acclaimed author Shashi Tharoor has taken a strong stand against critics within and outside his party, after facing flak for praising the Narendra Modi-led NDA government’s handling of terrorism in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor.

Tharoor, who is currently heading an Indian delegation as part of the central government’s global diplomatic outreach, took to social media platform X to respond sharply, terming his detractors as “zealots” and “trolls.”

The Thiruvananthapuram MP, presently en route from Panama to Bogotá, Colombia, said he was clearly referring to India’s recent retaliatory operations against terrorism and not to past military wars. “After a long and successful day in Panama, I have to wind up at midnight with departure for Bogotá, Colombia in six hours, so I don't really have time for this — but anyway,” his post began.

"For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars," Tharoor clarified.

He also reiterated that his statement was made in context of the recent terror strikes and India’s retaliatory stance. “My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB,” he noted.

Taking a dig at social media backlash and partisan interpretation of his views, Tharoor concluded, “But as usual, critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do. Goodnight.”

Tharoor’s comments come amid heightened political sensitivity, as leaders across the spectrum position themselves in response to national security and India’s global diplomatic narrative.