Won't accept Savarkar Award, says Shashi Tharoor; Congress MP confirmed participation in event, claim organisers

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will not accept the Veer Savarkar Award, his office has announced. Tharoor’s office confirmed that the award was announced without informing either Tharoor or his office. The office also stated that he is travelling to Kolkata today to attend another event. Tharoor had explained the matter in a Facebook post as well.

The organisers, HRDS India, had earlier announced that Shashi Tharoor would receive their first Savarkar Award. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was scheduled to present the award at a function today at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi.

Along with Tharoor, five other individuals had been selected for the award. It is meant for distinguished personalities from various fields who have made notable contributions in public service and socio-political areas. HRDS India had said Tharoor was chosen for his national and international engagements. The organisers also claimed that Tharoor had confirmed his participation.

The Congress party had already expressed strong opposition to Tharoor accepting the award. The party had said that Tharoor had not discussed accepting the award with them.

Tharoor's Facebook post
I have come to know from media reports that I have been named a recipient of the "Veer Savarkar Award," which is to be presented today in Delhi.

I only learned about this announcement yesterday in Kerala, where I had gone to vote in the local self-government elections.

There in Thiruvananthapuram, responding to media queries, I had clarified that I was neither aware of, nor had accepted, such an award and it was irresponsible on the part of the organisers to announce my name without my having agreed to receive it.

Despite that, today in Delhi, some media outlets continue to ask the same question. Therefore, I am issuing this statement to clarify the matter unequivocally.

In the absence of clarifications about the nature of the award, the organisation presenting it or any other contextual details, the question of my attending the event today or accepting the award does not arise.