Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has addressed the backlash on social media regarding his tweet that described his visit to the landslide-hit Wayanad as “memorable.” Tharoor clarified that he used the term “memorable” to mean something unforgettable and worth remembering.
“For all the trolls: definition of ‘memorable’: Something that is memorable is worth remembering or likely to be remembered, because it is special or unforgettable. That’s all I meant,” Tharoor posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to the controversy.
Tharoor visited the areas devastated by landslides in Wayanad, where over 300 people have lost their lives, and many are still missing. A video shared by Tharoor shows him assisting in unloading relief supplies organized by his office for those displaced by the calamity and now residing in relief camps. He is also seen meeting with the affected individuals to understand their situation and the challenges they face.
Speaking to ANI, Tharoor mentioned that his office had arranged for mattresses for those displaced by the flood. “But all of these are just urgent, immediate responses. We have to think in terms of long term as well,” he said.
In an earlier post, Tharoor described his visit to the devastated areas in Wayanad as “emotionally searing.” He detailed his experience in the villages of Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Puncharimattam, where he witnessed the extensive destruction. “Ground Zero was emotionally devastating – just imagining what it must have been like at 2 AM and 4 AM when families sleeping peacefully would have felt a fusillade of rocks and mud crashing into them, crushing their homes and their dreams,” he wrote.
However, another post in which Tharoor shared a video of his visit and conversations with those affected sparked controversy for its caption. “Some memories of a memorable day in Wayanad,” it said.
Several individuals, including BJP leaders, criticized his use of the word “memorable” to describe such a tragic event. Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya tweeted, “Deaths and disaster are memorable for Shashi Tharoor.” Another user described Tharoor as an “elite MP” and criticized his choice of words, stating that using “memorable” in the context of a tragedy where 300 people have died was inappropriate.
Tharoor’s clarification aims to address these criticisms and explain the context in which he used the term, emphasizing the profound impact of the visit on him.
