# Shashi Tharoor clarifies remark on Rahul Gandhi’s youth outreach

2026-08-08T20:42:18+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday clarified that his remarks on Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron ki goonj' programme were not an attack on the party or its leadership. Speaking at an IIMUN event in Mumbai, Tharoor had said the party failed to read Gen Z's pulse, pointing to the Jantar Mantar protests by the Cockroach Janata Party as more resonant. He urged parties to create routes for young people into politics, questioning whether established hierarchies and dynastic considerations block entry. Tharoor accused some media outlets of distorting his words and released a full video of the conversation. Times Now reports that the BJP has backed Tharoor's assessment, accusing Rahul Gandhi of failing to connect with the youth. The Congress leader had skipped student protests in Ranchi while visiting Prayagraj.

## Coverage

- deccanherald.com <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/after-remarks-on-rahul-gandhis-youth-outreach-programme-shashi-tharoor-says-not-an-attack-on-party-4104378>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/videos/times-now/india/rahul-gandhi-faces-criticism-from-shashi-tharoor-and-bjp-over-youth-engagement-video-155388257>

Tags: Congress, Gen Z, Jantar Mantar protest, Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, youth in politics
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