Tharoor likens Kejriwal to eunuchs who want ‘power without responsibility’; apologises

New Delhi, January 14

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday apologised on Twitter after he was criticised for his remark that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wants power without responsibility, something which has been “the prerogative of eunuchs”.

On Monday night, Tharoor alleged that Kejriwal is trying to have it both ways by making statements deploring the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) but has not taken any tangible action.

“He has not even shown human compassion one expects from a chief minister from victims of violence in his state. In any other state, had students been bashed up in this manner, the chief minister would have visited them and shown them some concern,” Tharoor told a TV channel.

“Mr Kejriwal really wants power without responsibility, which we all know has been the prerogative of eunuchs for ages,” he said.

The remark drew sharp criticism on social media as netizens accused him of “transphobia” and asked him to apologise to the LGBT community.

Apologies to those who found my quote about "power without responsibility" offensive. It's an old line from British politics, going back to Kipling & PrimeMinister Stanley Baldwin, &most recently used by Tom Stoppard. I recognize that its use today was inappropriate &withdraw it.

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 13, 2020

“Apologies to those who found my quote about ‘power without responsibility’ offensive. It’s an old line from British politics, going back to Kipling & PrimeMinister Stanley Baldwin, & most recently used by Tom Stoppard. I recognize that its use today was inappropriate & withdraw it,” Tharoor tweeted on Tuesday morning.

He did not directly mention the “eunuch” reference which had sparked outrage. —PTI   

Here are the reactions to his comments: 

. @ShashiTharoor speaking of @ArvindKejriwal, said power without responsibility has been the prerogative of eunuchs. With his command over the English language, he knew the term to be transphobic, misogynist. Stripped of literary gloss, he called a political rival unmanly.

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 14, 2020

Shashi Tharoor’s use of little-known English words impressed us all.

Now, his use of well-known English words has shocked us all.

Refinement of language doesn’t cancel the crudeness of views.

— Irena Akbar (@irenaakbar) January 14, 2020

Shashi Tharoor is a perfect example of well-educated people couching their regressive views in such sophisticated language that their views may actually appear progressive.

— Tejas Harad (@h_tejas) January 13, 2020

Finally, the world is waking up to the fact that Shashi Tharoor doesn't speak English -- or any other language, for that matter. He simply says words in a random order.

— Amina "Vivyan" Sarlas (@vivyansarlas) January 13, 2020

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