Shashi Tharoor has once again landed in the spotlight—this time by suggesting that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has moved on from its past views favouring Manusmriti over the Constitution. His remarks have not only embarrassed his party but also given his critics fresh reason to question his loyalty.

"At the time of the adoption of the Constitution, Mr Golwalkar, amongst others, said that one of the great flaws of the Constitution is that there is nothing of the Manusmriti in it. But I think the RSS itself has moved on from those days,” Tharoor told reporters after attending a discussion in Ahmedabad.

He clarified that while the statement is historically accurate, it is up to the RSS to explain whether they still hold the same views.

Tharoor’s comments come at a time when the Congress Party has strongly opposed RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale’s recent call to remove the words “socialist” and “secular” from the Preamble of the Constitution.

“During that (Emergency) period, terms like ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’ were forcibly inserted... Today, we must reflect on whether these words should remain there,” Hosabale had said.

Congress termed the statement “a deliberate assault on the soul of our Constitution” and accused the RSS-BJP of plotting to dismantle Dr Ambedkar’s vision. “Let us not forget: when the Constitution was adopted, the RSS rejected it. They didn’t just oppose it—they burnt it,” the party said on X.

Rahul Gandhi’s claim questioned

Tharoor’s remarks also appeared to distance himself from Rahul Gandhi’s sharp accusation that the RSS wants to replace the Constitution with Manusmriti.

Asked about Gandhi’s claim, Tharoor responded: “Historically, he’s referring to the fact that that was a criticism expressed at the time... But I think the RSS itself has moved on from those days.”

This perceived leniency towards the RSS has further deepened the growing rift between Tharoor and the Congress high command.

Praise for Modi and cryptic posts add to tensions

The Congress MP has already been under scrutiny for comments praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Operation Sindoor. Writing in a newspaper article, Tharoor called Modi’s “energy” and “dynamism” an asset for India’s global stature.

The article was shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, prompting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to take a veiled dig: “We say nation first, but some consider Modi first, country later.”

Tharoor defended his views, saying they reflected national interest—not political alignment. Meanwhile, cryptic posts like “Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one” have kept party circles guessing.

Emergency and the call to uphold values

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Tharoor described it as a “bad period in our history” but acknowledged that Indira Gandhi had accepted defeat and restored democracy.

“I think all of us should use this anniversary to re-dedicate ourselves to the Constitution... not to play political games but to reaffirm those ideals,” he said.

Russia visit fuels more questions

Adding to the chatter was Tharoor’s recent visit to Russia, which sparked rumours of secret backchannel diplomacy. Brushing aside the speculation, Tharoor said the trip was a planned parliamentary engagement.

“It gave me an opportunity to connect with my counterparts,” he said, adding that he also met his “old friend,” the Russian Foreign Minister.

“None of the dramatic, James Bond-type speculation people have floated—no secret missions, nothing of that sort,” he added.

Shashi Tharoor continues to tread a line that increasingly appears out of step with his party’s public messaging. As his statements provide fresh talking points for critics and confusion for colleagues, the Congress Party faces yet another internal challenge—this time from within its own intellectual ranks.