New Delhi: With the Congress slamming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) almost on a daily basis, the possibility of its senior leader Shashi Tharoor sharing a stage with the Hindu organisation’s chief Mohan Bhagwat at an event in Mumbai was bound to raise eyebrows. But Tharoor has now put that speculation to rest, clarifying that while both he and Bhagwat will be attending events organised by the International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN), there will be no shared stage.
The clarification comes after questions were raised across social media over Tharoor’s participation in the event by IIMUN, a youth organisation that conducts leadership and civic engagement programmes for students. The speculation gathered significant traction, given the Congress’s long-standing differences with the RSS, and because Tharoor has, at times, differed from the party’s official stand. Responding to the criticism, Tharoor also made it clear that the event was not being organised by the RSS, and that Bhagwat’s and his presence is on separate days.
“It is not RSS-led. It’s a student movement that invites educationists and thought leaders of all backgrounds to address students. I believe in freedom of expression and will chair their Board meeting and events on 7th & 8th. Mr Bhagwat will meet them on 6th when I am in Delhi for Parliament,” Tharoor wrote on X.
Bhagwat is scheduled to interact with young participants on 6 August at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. The event marks the 15th anniversary of IIMUN and the opening of its annual Championship Conference, news agency ANI reported.
Bhagwat’s participation has also drawn political criticism from Opposition parties. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray ) leader Aaditya Thackeray took a swipe at those seeking to engage with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, questioning where they were when young protesters were facing police action.
“Suddenly everyone who wants to interact with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and some who have taken it on themselves to preach ‘culture’ to them via social media, the simple question to all of them is… Where were you when they were facing AK-47s, lathis with rusted nails, electric shock guns and electric barricades, tear gas and when women were manhandled in the name of ‘law and order’?” Thackeray said on X.
He also questioned why they had not stepped in when young people were detained while leaving for peaceful protests or arrested.
This will not, however, be Bhagwat’s first interaction with young people through the organisation. He was among the participants in leadership development sessions hosted at the IIMUN headquarters in June.
More than 2,000 students between the ages of 15 and 19, representing schools and colleges from over 100 cities across the country, are expected to attend the gathering. Bhagwat’s interaction will centre on the theme, ‘The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way’.
The four-day conference, being held from 6 -9 August, is aimed at bringing young participants, including members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, into direct conversations with senior figures from different fields.
IIMUN founder Rishabh Shah said the interaction comes at an important time and stressed the need for senior leaders to listen to younger voices. “Leadership is not only about guiding the next generation, but also listening to it. At this critical juncture in India’s journey, we need this dialogue more than ever before,” Shah said.
“I am grateful to Shri Mohan Bhagwat ji for accepting our invite to address this gathering at this critical juncture,” he added as per the press release reported by ANI.
Founded by Shah in 2011, IIMUN describes itself as a public affairs platform aimed at preparing young people for leadership. The organisation says its programmes now span 275 cities across India and 40 countries.
Tharoor himself has a longstanding association with IIMUN and is a member of its advisory board, which includes former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, industrialists Ajay Piramal, Deepak Parekh and Nadir Godrej, filmmaker Karan Johar and athlete P.T. Usha, among others.
While the presence of both Tharoor and Bhagwat at IIMUN, events had sparked speculation, their schedules will not overlap as per plan. Bhagwat will interact with the students on 6 August, when Tharoor says he will be in Delhi for Parliament. The Congress leader will chair IIMUN’s board meeting and attend its events on 7 and 8 August.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)
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It will be better if shri MB address the youth on ways to steal temple jewels and funds, as his esteemed org’n has the expertise in that particular profession. and of course tharoor has made sure he is not there during that session.