
Shashi Tharoor says he has differences of opinion with some in Congress leadership
He did not clarify whether his differences of opinion were with the national or state leadership.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP indicated that he might talk about those differences after the bypoll results.
When asked why he was not part of the bypoll campaign, Tharoor said that he was not invited for it as was the practice during the other byelections, including the one in Wayanad held last year.
"I do not go where I am not invited," he said, but added that he wants the party workers' campaign efforts to bear fruit and the UDF candidate to win from Nilambur.
Regarding his recent talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tharoor said it was regarding the delegations' visits to various countries in connection with Operation Sindoor and the discussions held there.
"No domestic politics were discussed," he said.
Defending his decision to accept the Centre's invite to head one of the delegations, he said that when he became the chairman of the External Affairs Committee of the Parliament, he had made it clear that he was focused on India's foreign policy and its national interest and not the foreign policy of the Congress and BJP.
"I have not changed my line. When an issue concerning the nation comes up, we are all obligated to work and speak for the country.
What I said during Operation Sindoor was my own opinion.
"The Centre asked for my services. Indeed, my party did not. So, I proudly did my duty as an Indian citizen," he said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
8 minutes ago
- Hans India
Shah's take on English has serious repercussions
This is with reference to the news items "Those who speak English in India will soon feel ashamed: Shah'. India's strength lies in its linguistic diversity. By framing English as a foreign language and linking it to shame, Shah's statement fuels the flames of linguistic chauvinism. This spells danger, especially in a country like India where language has been the flashpoint that triggered regional and communal violence in almost every nook and corner. One must forget that English serves as a bridge language in India, including in higher education, business and inter-state communication. Non-Hindi speaking states are likely to see Shah's statement as one more attempt to establish a Hindi-centric identity in the entire country. Shah's controversial statement carries deep political and global implications. P Victor Selvaraj, Tirunelveli- 627002 Unbecoming of Shah A new controversy is likely to start following the statement of Union Hoe Minister Amit Shah on languages, which is a sensitive issue in India where states have come into existence based on language. This is evident from Maharashtra, where a controversy is underway over adoption of Hindi. Shah warned of a day when speakers of English in India would feel ashamed, but the question is why make such a damaging statement, in the firstplace. By all accounts, it is a shameful remark from a leader of Shah's stature. It reeks of prejudice and myopia, elements that knowledgeable politicians ought to shun. English's centrality to the Indian context is undeniable. To make matters worse, he said 'our culture, our history, and our religion cannot be understood in foreign languages. We will run our country in our own languages and lead the world too.' Earlier this month, Shah launched the Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag (BBA), or Indian Languages Section, to provide an organised platform for all Indian languages to move towards 'freeing the administration from the influence of foreign languages'. States like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have witnessed protests on the imposition of Hindi. The Tamil Nadu government has opposed the three-language formula in the National Educational Policy (NEP) tooth and nail, claiming it was an attempt to bring Hindi to the State 'through the backdoor'. In a country that speaks in many tongues and where linguistic tensions are quite common, English has served as the veritable lingua franca, bridging segments of the population. In this globalised world, English is the bridge that connects India to the world and its economy. Shah's demonisation of English needs to be located within a broader ideological and epistemic thrust. But the spirit of the idea of India - linguistically or otherwise - is a celebration of pluralism and accommodation: English, with its many virtues and uses, has a firm place in the Indian ethos. It is expected that the government will see the pros and cons before implementing ill-conceived initiatives. Yash Pal Ralhan, Jalandhar-144003 Shah's shameful statement It was a shameful statement that the Union Home Minister Amit Shah made during a book launch event in Delhi where he spoke of a time "when those speaking English in the country would feel ashamed". English is one of the global languages and helps to understand our living world, especially in the AI era. When we study in our mother tongue, we understand well. But when we need to exchange what we learned, English is the tool. It may help unite the world but not to lead. Unnikrishnan Mangalasseri, Manjeri PO, Kerala-676121 Union Minister should eat his words Ourministers and senior politicians should always talk using measured words and not in an irresponsible manner (Those who speak English will soon feel ashamed: Shah). English (the lingua franca) is an international language. Undermining its importance in our country is like cutting one's nose to spite one's face. It is widely used in businesses, education and judiciary and provides ample opportunities for global communication as well as career advancements. A good command over English boosts our students' prospects not only in India but also abroad. Amit Shah should eat his own words. Dr Sunil Chopra,Ludhiana Shah's gaffe is regrettable AmitShah's statement that "those who speak English in this country would soon feel ashamed" deserves to be taken with a fistful of salt. English, as we all know, is the aspirational language of India's rising middle class. On that count, regional languages, even Hindi, serve a limited purpose. English is the sine qua non of today's India that has set out to claim its place on the global high table. Even the Prime Minister with his RSS/Hindi background, thought it fit to give English a brief hug while driving home a point about terrorism, and that too in Bihar. Mignon McLaughlin, American journalist and author, had said, "Every American child should grow up knowing a second language, preferably English." And that perhaps holds water for every Indian child living in these times. Amitji, are you listening? Avinash Godboley, Dewas (MP)


The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Are foreign university campuses in India truly beneficial?
Every year, thousands of Indian students pursue higher education abroad, with the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia being among the top choices. According to data from the Ministry of Education, the number of Indian students studying overseas increased by 52.2% over five years; from 586,337 in 2019 to 892,989 in 2023. This is due to several factors: the perception of receiving a globally recognised, high-quality education at top-ranked universities; access to cutting-edge research facilities; improved career prospects; international exposure; better job opportunities and higher salaries; a superior quality of life; and relatively smoother immigration processes. Studies indicate that over 75% of Indian students who study abroad intend to work and settle in their host countries, with only a small fraction planning to return to India. This suggests that such students have already considered critical questions such as: What are the advantages of earning a degree from a foreign university? What career opportunities will it open up? New questions Now, with some foreign universities setting up campuses in India, aspiring students are beginning to ask a new set of questions: What are the benefits of earning a degree from an international university's Indian campus? Is it as valuable as studying at the main campus abroad? Will it offer the same academic experience and career prospects? The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 supports the establishment of independent campuses by foreign universities in India and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently announced that 15 international universities will set up campuses in the country during the current academic year. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already issued Letters of Intent (LoI) to some institutions, including the University of Liverpool and to the University of Aberdeen to set up branch campuses in Bangalore and Mumbai respectively. According to the specified guidelines, foreign universities seeking entry into India must rank among the top 500 globally, demonstrate subject-specific expertise, and be duly recognised in their home countries to offer academic and research programmes. They will have autonomy in designing their curriculum, managing admissions, setting fee structures and are authorised to award internationally recognised degrees. Foreign universities stand to gain significantly by entering the Indian education sector as they can expand their global footprint, enjoy academic and administrative autonomy, and offer international degrees within India. The presence of top-ranked foreign university campuses in India is also expected to bring several advantages to the country. It can introduce world-class education; help raise domestic academic standards to global levels and promote knowledge exchange. Participation in conferences organised by these institutions can provide Indian scholars with valuable exposure and enriching learning experiences. Moreover, Indian students will be able to earn foreign degrees without going abroad, thereby helping retain talent within the country. Local needs and priorities But one must also ask: who are the actual beneficiaries? Will these branch campuses cater exclusively to the elite? Will academically gifted students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have an opportunity to gain admission? In a country where millions of young people struggle to access higher education — or are unable to pursue it due to financial constraints — this initiative risks neglecting local needs and priorities. With regard to bringing world-class education to India, any foreign university setting up a campus here is primarily driven by monetary interests, and the focus is likely to be on profit rather than academic excellence. This opens the door to the commercialisation of education, reducing it to a commodity rather than upholding it as a service. Foreign university branch campuses in India risk becoming symbols of elitism rather than instruments of equality or social justice. A truly vibrant campus is one that embraces equality, upholds social justice, and celebrates diversity and inclusiveness. On a typical Indian campus, students from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds come together, interact, and learn from one another. This environment helps everyone become sensitive to the needs of one another and empathetic. A foreign campus in India is unlikely to foster or reflect this kind of inclusive environment. Introducing foreign university campuses should lead to reforms in the education sector, not widen inequality. It is misguided to claim that graduates from foreign university campuses in India will help reduce brain drain. On the contrary, a degree from a foreign university can serve as a stepping stone and increase the chances for those who aspire to work abroad. If the purpose of inviting foreign universities to set up branch campuses in India is to bring world-class education, develop global citizens, and transform the country into a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047, the focus must be on addressing local needs, particularly by enabling economically and socially disadvantaged groups to access higher education and by improving the overall quality of education. That is what will lead to true transformation. Let us not forget: all that glitters is not gold. The writer is an ELT resource person and education columnist. Email: rayanal@


Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Today in Politics: Home Minister Amit Shah in Chhattisgarh to review anti-Naxal operations
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit a security camp and chair a meeting to review ongoing anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh during his two-day trip to the state starting from Sunday, said Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma of the BJP-led state government. Shah will also lay foundation stones for a National Forensic Science University (NFSU) and a state forensic lab in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar on Sunday. The state government has allotted 40 acres of land for NFSU, which will be built by the Centre at a cost of around Rs 400 crore. Later in the evening, he will chair a high-level security review meeting with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, where senior state and top security officials will be in attendance. The meeting will focus on the current internal security scenario in the state, with a special emphasis on anti-Naxal operations. The CM described the upcoming visit of Shah as a 'symbol of renewed energy and confidence for Chhattisgarh', underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state to combat extremism and promote inclusive growth. Notably, anti-Naxalite operations have been intensified in Chhattisgarh since the BJP was elected to power in the 2023 Assembly polls and more than 400 Maoist cadres, including senior functionaries, gunned down by security forces in separate encounters since January 2024. Maharashtra's Baramati, the bastion of the Pawar political family, is abuzz about the elections to the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill on Sunday, as reported by Partha Sarathi Biswas. While Ajit has fielded his panel for the 21 posts of the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill, he is himself running for the chairman position. Adding further spice to the contest, after Ajit's entry, Sharad Pawar announced he was putting up own panel too, with the uncle and nephew rivalry now playing out in the mill, located on the family turf of Baramati and long a Pawar fiefdom. Before the NCP split in 2023, Ajit 'managed' the running and politics of almost all cooperative bodies in the region, including the Malegaon mill. In 2019, its outgoing board pledged their support to Ajit in both the general and state Assembly elections; now their loyalties are seen as divided between him and Pawar Senior. The Malegaon mill's functional area is about 37 villages, and the electorate for the June 22 polls are the 20,000 farmer members of the mill, who are also shareholders in the cooperative. Pawar Senior and Ajit are among the members. The mill's VIP status is reinforced by its reputation of compensating its member farmers well. Besides these two panels, the 'Sahakar Bachao Shetkari Panel' led by known Pawar baiter Chandrarao Taware, is in the race, along with a panel of Independents. The Tawares, who have for long been the only ones standing between the Pawars and their total dominance of Baramati, joined the BJP in 2019. Elections will be held on Sunday for more than 3,894 gram panchayats across Gujarat to elect sarpanchs and panchayat members in the first such exercise after the state government announced 27% OBC reservation in local body polls in 2023. Earlier, OBC reservation in local bodies was capped at 10%. Of 8,326 gram panchayats for which elections were declared on May 25, general and mid-term polls will be held for 3,541 gram panchayats. More than a thousand gram panchayats have been declared uncontested or vacant with no candidate filing their nomination, the State Election Commission (SEC) said. The SEC said gram panchayat elections in six talukas under Kadi and Visavadar Assembly seats have been cancelled due to by-elections held there on Thursday. Elections to the lowest level of local government administration are usually not contested on a party basis. Candidates do not fight on party tickets, though they may be affiliated with political parties. – With PTI inputs