CJP’s Saurav Das revives Shashi Tharoor’s ‘scorpion’ remark; Congress MP responds in deadpan

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has sidestepped an attempt by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenor Saurav Das to draw him into commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding to a deliberately elaborate reference to his controversial 2018 “scorpion sitting on a Shivling” remark.The exchange began after PM Modi visited the Shri Vinayak Mandir in New Delhi on Wednesday, the day he completed 25 uninterrupted years at the helm of various governments in Gujarat and at the Centre.Das commented on a photo of PM Modi offering prayers at the temple and tagged Tharoor.“I see this and am reminded of a banger comment by Dr. Tharoor, would it be an unconscionable imposition upon your eloquence to solicit a reprise of that ineffably felicitous observation, sir?” Das said in a post on X. (sic)Tharoor, however, appeared unwilling to take the bait said, “It wouldn’t, if I had the slightest idea what you are referring to! Do enlighten me." (sic)Das then spelt out the reference, invoking the metaphor that Tharoor had quoted in 2018.“Dr. Tharoor, I speak, of course, of that immortal zoological-theological conundrum involving a scorpion and the impracticability of a chappal. In the context of the video, surely it warrants a reprise” (sic)The exchange referred to Tharoor’s 2018 remarks in Bengaluru, when he quoted an unnamed RSS source who had allegedly described PM Modi as “a scorpion sitting on a Shivling”.Speaking at the event in 2018, Tharoor had said, “There's an extraordinarily striking metaphor expressed by an unnamed RSS source to journalist Vinod Jose, that, 'Modi is like a scorpion sitting on a Shivling, you can't remove him with your hand and you cannot hit it with a chappal either' ... because while removing him with a hand would mean you'd end up getting stung, hitting the Shivaling with a chappal would raise questions on the spiritual tenets you have been practicing for years.”Also read: RSS source said Modi is like a 'scorpion sitting on a Shivling': TharoorThe latest exchange unfolded against the backdrop of a political confrontation in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Jantar Mantar turned into a political battleground on Wednesday as Opposition leaders seeking to march towards the protest site were stopped by Delhi Police.Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those detained, while opposition leaders vowed to intensify their campaign seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.The standoff unfolded amid heavy security near the designated protest site. Rahul Gandhi attempted to open a barricaded gate as Opposition MPs sought to proceed towards Jantar Mantar, but police pushed the protesters back and detained several leaders.Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was later seen lying on the ground and alleged that women police personnel had scratched her and thrown protesters to the ground. Rahul Gandhi, while being detained, was seen waving at the media and showing a victory sign.As the confrontation over SIR intensified, the CJP announced a fresh youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the party had formally intimated Delhi Police about the proposed demonstration, with young people from across the country expected to gather over what the party described as “theft of votes”, “hijacking of elections” and the alleged exclusion of Gen Z from voter lists.For now, however, Das’s attempt to revive Tharoor’s most famous zoological metaphor has produced no fresh verdict from the Congress leader.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news. Download the TOI App.