Shashi Tharoor's 'Memorable Day' In Wayanad Post Stirs Row, BJP Slams Congress MP

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor participated in relief efforts for the landslide-affected area of Wayanad on Saturday.  Tharoor described it as a “memorable” day for him in Wayanad.

However, the BJP criticized the Congress MP for calling his day in Wayanad ‘memorable.’ Tharoor also faced significant backlash from social media users for his post.

Tharoor arranged for two truckloads of relief supplies to aid the victims and personally helped unload the supplies. He said that soft, spongy bedrolls were distributed to the homeless, along with other essential supplies.

Taking to X, Shashi Tharoor said “In Kalpetta, Wayanad, helped to unload two truckloads of relief supplies organised by the MP Office in Thiruvananthapuram. While there is no shortage of food in the relief camps, the homeless are sleeping on floors. We have brought soft and spongy bedrolls for them along with other supplies.”

Sharing a video of his day assisting with the relief work in Wayanad, Tharoor wrote, “Some memories of a memorable day in Wayanad.”

Social Media Backlash Over Tharoor’s Post

Social media users severely criticised Tharoor’s post with many questioning how the tragedy could be termed a “memorable” day for the Congress leader.

“More than 300 people have lost their lives and this Congress leader close to Rahul Gandhi is saying ‘Memories and Memorable day’ ” wrote one user.

BJP Hits Out At Tharoor

BJP leader Amit Malviya also reacted to Tharoor’s post and wrote, “Deaths and disaster are memorable for Shashi Tharoor.

However, Shashi Tharoor schooled the users about the meaning of the word “memorable” and said “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.”

Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated that there is sufficient food available for the landslide victims. Therefore, he provided mattresses and soft, spongy bedding to offer them a comfortable place to rest.

“Food and so on is plentifully available in Wayanad but we were able to bring some mattresses, soft, spongy things that you can spread out on the floor and lie on to help people. But all of these are just urgent, immediate responses. We have to think in terms of the longer term as well,” Tharoor told ANI.

“For example, the relief camps are all in schools, but the schools have to reopen. Children have to go back to school and study. So we need to get them out into longer-term residential arrangements, such as rented homes or hostels. And the government has to take a role and then we’re all helping. Then we have to build homes for them for the longer term,” he added.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the landslide incidents has surpassed 300. According to Kerala Health Minister Veena George, the death toll from the massive landslides that occurred on July 30 in Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad reached 308 as of Friday.