Congress MP Shashi Tharoor questioned India’s handling of the COVID-19 situation at the Lahore Literature Festival. Speaking virtually at the event, Tharoor said that the Indian government is not doing well when it comes to the handling of the pandemic and people realise this. He further added that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had informed the Centre about the pandemic but the latter did not act accordingly.

“The Indian government is not doing well and the people realise this. Rahul Gandhi mentioned as early as February that COVID-19 must be taken seriously otherwise India will face economic catastrophe so he should get credit for it,” Tharoor was quoted as saying by Times Now.

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Tharoor also spoke about fighting against bigotry and prejudice in India arising because of a pandemic.

Reacting to Tharoor’s comments, the BJP said that he was defaming India globally. “It is foolish and juvenile for someone who calls himself an intellectual to say what he said by painting Rahul Gandhi as modern-day Nostradamus,” the news channel quoted the BJP as saying.

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Earlier, on October 17, Tharoor said a large number of people, including activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj and Anand Teltumbde, are under detention for their words, although none of them is accused of hitting anyone or possessing a gun.

He also said that words and ideas may outlast power and authority.

“We have seen that a large number of people are under detention for words they have expressed. Currently, people like Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj and Anand Teltumbde are under detention for their words,” PTI quoted Tharoor as saying.

“No one is accused of throwing a stone, hitting someone or possessing a gun or anything like that. It’s only about the words. So, how will the pen stand up to the sword if the pen is wielded to the authority of the government of the day,” he further added.