Tharoor blames media for creating controversy over his statement
January 10th, 2010 - 9:03 pm ICT by ANI
New Delhi, Jan 10(ANI): Reacting to the latest controversy raised over some remarks reportedly made by him Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor claimed becoming a victim of inaccurate and tendentious reporting.
Tharoor clarified his stand and slammed a section of media for inaccurate reporting, in a press conference here.
On Sunday, a section of the media reported Tharoor saying that country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s policies presented India in a light of “moral self-righteousness.”
This in churned out controversy following Tharoor’s earlier twitting comments and ridiculing the Visa system.
On Saturday, Tharoor said: “The manner in which that both enhanced India’s standing in the world and gave us the negative reputation for conducting foreign policy as a sort of moralistic running commentary on other people’s behaviour.”
During the news conference Tharoor said he was quoted out of context and clarified: “I expressed my agreement with Lord Parekh’s views of Indian civilisation, secularism and pluralism, which accord closely with my own — and indeed with the profound convictions of the Congress Party and the UPA Government.”
“Some TV channels have even run stories on the basis of inaccurate press reporting, without even checking the tape of my remarks. That reflects very poorly on their professionalism or lack thereof,” Tharoor added.
“Irresponsible reporting may briefly gratify a few sensation-seekers in the media, but they do no credit to the need for informed discussion of foreign policy issues in our democracy. India deserves better. So, frankly, do I,” noted Tharoor.
Tharoor recently made the news with his controversial statement on the rigid visa policy that he spelt out in the free social networking and micro-blogging service - Twitter.
His twitter comment on austerity drive suggesting the ministers to travel in economy class also led to much furore. (ANI)
- Tharoor hits out at sensation-seeking media, denies Nehru remarks (Lead) - Jan 10, 2010
- I am victim of tendentious reporting: Tharoor - Jan 10, 2010
- Tharoor's 'twitting' will lead to quitting: Venkaiah Naidu - Mar 04, 2010
- Tharoor's remarks on Nehru raise Congress' hackles - Jan 10, 2010
- PMO in awkward position over Tharoor's 'interlocutor' remark - Feb 28, 2010
- Outrage over Brit-Asian senior council officer's 'Servants need a slap' comment - Sep 04, 2010
- Tharoor upset at fuss over Saudi as interlocutor remark - Feb 28, 2010
- No need for interlocutor between India -Pakistan, PMO clarifies - Mar 01, 2010
- Tharoor clarifies "interlocutor" comment about India-Pakistan and S. Arab - Feb 28, 2010
- Why Congress distanced itself from Tharoor? - Apr 19, 2010
- Tharoor, his Twitter - and the humourless Indian political discourse (Comment) - Sep 20, 2009
- Is Tharoor more sinned against than sinning? - Mar 02, 2010
- Storm as Tharoor says Saudi Arabia can be interlocutor (Roundup) - Feb 28, 2010
- Tharoor arrives at Pranab's residence for clarification over IPL controversy - Apr 14, 2010
- Krishna disapproves of Tharoor's visa remarks (Lead, superseding earlier story) - Dec 28, 2009
Tags: austerity drive, congress party, controversial statement, economy class, external affairs, jawaharlal nehru, latest controversy, minister of state, negative reputation, parekh, pluralism, prime minister jawaharlal, secularism, self righteousness, sensation seekers, social networking, tv channels, union minister, visa policy, visa system