A political row erupted on Monday after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was named the recipient of the “Veer Savarkar International Impact Award” by NGO HRDS India, which he declined, even as the organisation claimed he had earlier agreed to accept it.
HRDS India, which describes itself on its website as a major NGO engaged in CSR initiatives and tribal welfare projects focused on housing, education and livelihoods, found itself at the centre of controversy on Monday after announcing Congress MP Shashi Tharoor as the recipient of the “Veer Savarkar International Impact Award.”
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1883–1966), often credited with formulating the modern Hindutva ideology, was a prominent figure of the Hindu right. His ideas, especially when linked to contemporary Indian politics, have been described by several historians as communal, anti-Muslim, and aligned with fascist thought. Savarkar is also widely regarded as an ideological influence on Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.
Although Tharoor was listed as one of six awardees for the Delhi event on Wednesday, he issued a statement clarifying that he neither knew about the award nor had agreed to accept it.
“I only learned about this announcement yesterday in Kerala, where I had gone to vote in the local self-government elections,” he wrote on X, calling it “irresponsible” for organisers to publicise his name without his consent.
He further said that, given the lack of clarity about the nature of the award or the organisation presenting it, there was “no question” of his attending the event or accepting it.
However, Aji Krishnan, founder–secretary of HRDS India, insisted that Tharoor had been informed well in advance.
He said the NGO had met Tharoor at his residence a month earlier and again through jury chairperson Ravi Kanth (Retd. IAS) two weeks ago.
According to Krishnan, Tharoor agreed to attend the function and had even discussed details of other awardees. “We have received no communication from him that he will not attend. He might have faced pressure from Congress,” Krishnan said.
Krishnan added that Tharoor was selected for his “global credentials,” citing his inclusion in a government delegation after Operation Sindoor, his invitation to the state dinner for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his consistent advocacy on national interest and colonial history.
HRDS India president Master AtmaNambi described the Savarkar award as “a powerful tribute to India’s revolutionary spirit,” noting that it would be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha as chief guest.
The episode comes amid visible strain between Tharoor and the Congress leadership.
On Friday, after Tharoor attended the state dinner for Putin, an invite extended to him but not to the Leaders of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge or Rahul Gandhi, the Congress publicly remarked that both those who extended and accepted such invitations should be subject to scrutiny. Spokesperson Pawan Khera said Congress leaders would not have accepted such an invitation had it come to them.
Tharoor responded that he was attending in his capacity as chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, noting that earlier chairpersons had routinely been invited.
The Savarkar award triggered further disapproval from within the party. Former Congress state chief K. Muraleedharan said no Congress leader should accept an honour named after Savarkar, whom he criticised for submitting mercy petitions to the British. “Accepting such an award would insult the Congress,” he said.
CPI(M) leader and Industries Minister P. Rajeev sharpened the criticism, alleging that “some people have accepted RSS ideology while remaining in Congress,” and pointing to Tharoor’s invitation as evidence of ideological ambiguity within the party.
