Shashi Tharoor strikes fresh controversy, compares PM Modi to "a scorpion sitting on a Shivling", miffs BJP

He recalled the RSS leader's quote on Narendra Modi that the later had told a journalist in 2012 - "A scorpion is sitting on a Shivaling. You can't remove him with a chappal either."

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had waded into a fresh controversy with a new analogy on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI)

New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had waded into a fresh controversy with a new analogy on Prime Minister Narendra Modi - one that he attributed to an unnamed 'RSS member'. Shashi Tharoor claimed that a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) source had compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "a scorpion sitting on a Shivling". He recalled the RSS leader's quote on Narendra Modi that the later had told a journalist in 2012 - "A scorpion is sitting on a Shivaling. You can't remove him with a chappal either." The comment later sparked a sharp reaction from the BJP, prompting the MP to give a detailed explanation hours later. Participating in the Bengaluru Literary Festival, Tharoor referred to the metaphor in the context of his latest book, "The Paradoxical Prime Minister", and alleged that Modi's personality cult did not go down well with many in the RSS. "There is an extraordinarily striking metaphor expressed by an unnamed RSS source to journalist Vinod Jose of 'The Caravan', who expressed their frustration with their inability to curb Modi," said Tharoor in his speech at the literary festival. Watch Video-

#WATCH Shashi Tharoor in Bengaluru, says, "There's an extraordinarily striking metaphor expressed by an unnamed RSS source to a journalist, that, "Modi is like a scorpion sitting on a Shivling, you can't remove him with your hand & you cannot hit it with a chappal either."(27.10) pic.twitter.com/E6At7WrCG5

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2018

Following Tharoor's comments, BJP condemned his remarks, which also evoked strong reaction on social media by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who also asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi whether he supported his party leader's comments. Prasad hit out Tharoor and said that the Congress leader had disrespected Lord Shiva. Prasad took to Twitter and wrote, "Shashi Tharoor, who is accused in a murder case, has attempted to disrespect Lord Shiva. I seek a reply from Rahul Gandhi who claims himself to be a 'bhakt' (devotee) of Lord Shiva on this horrific denunciation of Hindu gods by a Congress MP. Rahul Gandhi must apologize to all Hindus."

Shashi Tharoor who is accused in a murder case has attempted to disrespect Lord Shiva.

I seek a reply from Rahul Gandhi who claims himself to be a Bhakt of Lord Shiva on this horrific denunciation of Hindu gods by a Congress MP.

Rahul Gandhi must apologize to all Hindus. pic.twitter.com/QeShJoCHDZ

— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) October 28, 2018

Responding to Prasad, Tharoor said that his comment quoting an unnamed RSS source on Modi had been in public domain for six years."This comment (not by me) has been in the public domain for six years. R.S. Prasad making an issue of a six-year-old quote shows how little new the BJP has to offer the nation," tweeted Tharoor.

This report includes a one-minute video excerpt of what I actually said: https://t.co/OWNAmxOWNU https://t.co/NPyAxoRY3V

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 28, 2018

He further clarified by saying that he had cited in his book the context in which it (metaphor) was used."In view of the unseemly demonisation of an out-of-context remark today involving a scorpion metaphor, my book #TheParadoxicalPrimeMinister cites and footnotes in this article -- please see the last paragraph of this article," tweeted Tharoor, sharing the link to "The Caravan" article in 2012, which quotes an RSS leader using the scorpion metaphor to describe Modi.

This comment (not by me) has been in the public domain for six years. RSPrasad making an issue of a 6yr old quote shows how little new the BJP has to offer the nation. As for media subserving the BJP’s desire for “controversy”, when will this “profession”develop any self-respect? https://t.co/RF8xxQLjzq

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 28, 2018