A controversy has erupted in the state of Kerala following a speech by Congress Working Committee member Shashi Tharoor at a Palestine solidarity rally organized by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). During his address, Tharoor referred to the October 7 attack on Israel as a "terrorist strike," leading to heated debates and accusations of pro-Israel sentiments.
M. Swaraj, a CPI(M) leader and former MLA, alleged that certain remarks made by Tharoor were perceived as being pro-Israel, and he criticized Tharoor for not acknowledging Israel as a "terrorist" nation. Swaraj suggested that Tharoor had turned the IUML rally into an Israel solidarity meeting.
In response to the criticism, Shashi Tharoor issued a clarification, emphasizing his longstanding support for the people of Palestine. He expressed his disagreement with the selective interpretation of one sentence from his speech at the IUML rally, highlighting his commitment to the Palestinian cause.
CPI(M) leader Swaraj, in a Facebook post, sarcastically commented on Tharoor's stance, suggesting that he considered the Palestinian actions as a "terrorist strike," even though a significant portion of the country had been lost to Israel. Swaraj also argued that the actions of Israel following October 7 were viewed as their "response" to the situation, but Tharoor refrained from labeling Israel as a "terrorist nation."
This controversy led to further criticism from LDF MLA K T Jaleel, who believed that Tharoor's speech gave the impression of a pro-Israel rally, despite the IUML rally being organized in solidarity with Palestine.
IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty defended the rally's intent, criticizing groups attempting to create controversy. He emphasized the importance of the rally in raising awareness about the Palestinian cause and noted that Tharoor had clarified his support for Palestine.
The IUML, a key ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, organized a large rally condemning the reported civilian casualties in the Israeli attack on Gaza. Thousands of IUML supporters participated in the Palestine Solidarity Human Rights rally, with Shashi Tharoor as the chief guest. In his speech, Tharoor highlighted the dire human rights situation and called for peace, expressing India's historical commitment to a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Tharoor also condemned the October 7 attack by Palestinian armed group Hamas on Israel, characterizing it as an "act of terror" and noted the subsequent violence and casualties on both sides of the conflict.
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