Congress leader Shashi Tharoor recently accused The Indian Express of misquoting and misrepresenting his statements from a Malayalam podcast, calling it an instance of “flagrantly irresponsible journalism.” The controversy erupted after the newspaper published an article implying that Shashi Tharoor was considering political alternatives if the Congress did not require his services. The report also suggested that he had remarked on an absence of leadership within Kerala’s Congress unit. These claims quickly gained traction, triggering widespread discussions in the media and political circles.
However, Tharoor strongly refuted these allegations, asserting that his words were distorted. He explained that when he spoke about having “options,” he was referring to literary pursuits, not political alternatives. He criticized the newspaper for translating his remarks inaccurately, leading to a misleading narrative. Similarly, on the issue of Congress leadership in Kerala, Shashi Tharoor maintained that he had said nothing about a leadership void. Instead, the original statement, as revealed in a video clip, mentioned that while the party had many leaders, several people felt there was a lack of ordinary workers.
5/5 I have long been a faithful reader of the @indianexpress, which has a remarkable history and still has the best op-ed pages in the Indian media. But this episode has merely added to my profound scepticism about Indian journalism altogether, which has again maintained its… pic.twitter.com/I4HpFbJP40
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 27, 2025
The Indian Express later issued a correction, admitting to errors in translation. However, Shashi Tharoor argued that the damage had already been done. By the time the correction was published, the misinformation had circulated widely, prompting media debates and political speculation. He expressed disappointment that a simple misinterpretation had led to days of unnecessary scrutiny, speculation, and criticism.
Taking to social media, Tharoor posted a detailed thread on X (formerly Twitter), where he dissected the incident. He accused The Indian Express of exploiting his remarks to generate attention for their podcast. He pointed out how media outlets often take minor comments out of context, twist them into sensational headlines, and subsequently set off a chain reaction where other journalists and politicians respond without verifying the facts. This, he noted, left him with the burden of damage control.
Shashi Tharoor also criticised the broader journalistic culture in India, lamenting the decline in accuracy and responsible reporting. He stated that this episode reaffirmed his skepticism about Indian journalism, which, according to him, prioritises clickbait headlines and sensational narratives over factual integrity. While acknowledging that The Indian Express has historically been a respected newspaper with strong editorial pages, he expressed dismay over the general trend of declining journalistic standards.