“Once they invited him, they had a duty to hear his point of view”
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania should have stuck to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the keynote speaker at its India Economic Forum, scheduled for later this month, Union Minister Shashi Tharoor said on Wednesday. But he clarified later that it was his personal opinion.“They should have heard the Gujarat Chief Minister out, even grilled him with tough questions, but should not have cancelled the invitation,” Mr. Tharoor, who is Minister of State for Human Resource Development, told NDTV.
Terming the Wharton decision “unfortunate,” he said: “I disagree profoundly with Mr. Modi at every level, but I think it is far better to debate his record and views rather than… suppress his voice by disinviting him. Once they invited him, they had a duty to hear his point of view.”
Mr. Tharoor is the first Congress leader to publicly denounce the business school’s decision announced on Sunday. His senior colleague Ambika Soni had said the decision was not an insult to the country. “Some people say denying [him] a visa or cancelling his programme is an insult to the country. I do not subscribe to this view. We do not get stopped from getting a visa but if we are stopped, we should reflect on why it is being done,” she said.
But Mr. Tharoor said he agreed with Wall Street Journal columnist Sadanand Dhume, who decided not to speak at the Forum as he disapproved of the decision to cancel the invitation to Mr. Modi.
Wharton perhaps cancelled Mr. Modi’s programme as “they just did not want the bother. They got so much of heat. They said...’we cannot cope with this trouble. Let us get ourselves out of it’.”
“I do not think it was a considered decision and I suspect that they are regretting both their decisions to invite Mr. Modi and to disinvite him,” he said.
On the other hand, he said, the hosts could have asked Mr. Modi uncomfortable questions. “That is what makes for a stimulating debate. On a university campus, that is what the entire process should be all about.”
Mr. Tharoor said he was invited to deliver the keynote address at the India Economic Forum a few weeks ago, but declined the offer because of his parliamentary commitments. He had addressed the Forum four years ago and since then had been invited every year, but could not go.
Keywords: Modi's Wharton address
With all due respect to Mr. Tharoor, the economic forum would not be
an appropriate venue to debate or raise questions about Mr. Modi's
controversial views or other past controversies that surround him.
Individuals invited to such forms are viewed as providing inspiration
to others and as an example to follow in every respect. I don't
believe Mr. Modi has those credentials. The host stand right in their
concern that allowing Mr. Modi to deliver a keynote at such a
prestigious event could be viewed to some degree as approving of all
of his policies. It is unfortunate that he was invited in the first
place, but revoking the invitation was the right thing to do.
Consider this: The US, which is fighting terrorism itself, stands fast
in denying Mr. Modi a diplomatic visa. The decision to revoke the
invitation is not an insult to democracy or India as some claim, it is
a sign of compassion from the civilized world that says "we don't
support oppression". We should hear it.
Well said and congratulation to Mr. tharoor for showing Democratic approach. After getting insulted by Modi and BJP his patience and approach is commendable. But Modi is not open to open Q and A session he only answer's pre decided questions that's why he has not been seen in open press conferences niether he would at Wharton. as a Autocratic and undemocratic person he thinks that only he is right and so He only want to speak, not even want to discuss the matter.
It seems that Mr.Tharoor is the only honest politician in our country.unfortunately he is in the
wrong party.He was against open defecation and his remarks that country has more temples
than the toilets was misunderstood .I appreciate his open minded ness . USA has to mend its wrong policies.
Ramabhadran Narayanan
Certainly what Wharton did - first inviting Mr Modi and then cancelling
the invitation that too without adducing any reason - tantamounts to
insult not only to the invitee but to the country of the invitee as
well. Mr.Tharoor has only said what is right in the matter without in any way supporting Mr Modi or his past deeds. But it is likely that the leadership is displeased with his opinion. There would be nobody in Congress who expresses his opinion straight. Hats off to Shashi, the politician.
[Terming the Wharton decision “unfortunate,” he said: “I disagree profoundly with Mr. Modi at every level, but I think it is far better to debate his record and views rather than… suppress his voice by disinviting him. Once they invited him, they had a duty to hear his point of view.”]
Right on Shashi! Still shooting his mouth off for all the right reasons! This kind of reasonableness and sanity can only destroy an Indian political career. But he'll always have London.
Tharoor's argument that that the opportunity to grill Modi after his address was lost is
sustainable only if the latter had shown an inclination towards engaging in a Q & A,
discussion and debate in the past. Correct me if I am wrong, he has shown no such
tendencies.
Raghuram Ekambaram
Hats off to Mr.Tharoor for taking up cudgels for Mr.Modi despite the latter's unacceptable jibe at Mrs.Tharoor earlier.The revocation of the invitation to Modi is certainly an insult to the country.It was petulant and churlish of Ms.Soni to say that it is not an insult.Perhaps if this had happened to a Congressman it would have constituted one.
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