After Shashi Tharoor's ‘don't ask permission to fly' post, Congress MP warns of ‘predatory birds' on the hunt
Now, Congress MP Manickam Tagore has hopped onto the war of words with a post warning of 'predatory birds' and 'democracy in danger' dig. In a veiled reference to the BJP, Tagore remarked, 'Freedom is not free, especially when predators wear patriotism as feathers.
Tagore's post read, 'Don't ask permission to fly. Birds don't need clearance to rise… But in today even a free bird must watch the skies—hawks, vultures, and 'eagles' are always hunting. Freedom isn't free, especially when the predators wear patriotism as feathers. #DemocracyInDanger #BirdsOfPrey.' The post featured six predatory birds: Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, American Kestrel, Turkey Vulture and Great Horned Owl.
Don't ask permission to fly. Birds don't need clearance to rise…
But in today even a free bird must watch the skies—hawks, vultures, and 'eagles' are always hunting.
Freedom isn't free, especially when the predators wear patriotism as feathers. 🦅🕊️ #DemocracyInDanger… pic.twitter.com/k4bNe8kwhR
— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) June 26, 2025
pic.twitter.com/dNkwZb721E
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 25, 2025
The rift within the Congress party has been widening of late as Tharoor praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Operation Sindoor in an article published in a national newspaper. In a press conference held on Wednesday, Kharge responded to his article and said: 'I can't read English well. His (Tharoor's) language is very good. That's why we have made him a Congress Working Committee member.'
'But I want to say the people of the Opposition together are with the Army that is fighting (during Operation Sindoor). We (the Congress) said the country is supreme and we will work together for the country. We said 'country first, party later'. Some people say 'Modi first, country later'. What can we do about that,' Kharge said.
When posed with the question whether the Congress would refrain from taking action against Tharoor, Kharge said: 'Why to be scared? It is our party, we are there. There are nearly 34 working committee members, 34 permanent invitees, nearly 30 special invitees. Now he is speaking as per his own wish. No need to repeat that again and again. Our concern is how to save the country. If somebody is concerned about something else, you can ask him about that.'
The rupture within the grand old party became further clear after the MP told reporters in his constituency that he had not been invited to campaign for the Nilambur bypoll. He mentioned the 'misunderstandings' between the party and him and how, when he was abroad, 'they engaged in arguments without understanding what I had said'.
Tharoor, who led a multi-party delegation for a five-nation visit, has irked the party by claiming that the Army had breached the Line of Control between India and Pakistan for the first time to 'conduct a surgical strike on a terror base, a launch pad… (after) the Uri strike in September 2016' and that it was 'something we had not done before'.
The Congress hit back, reminding Tharoor about surgical strikes under the UPA government and suggesting that the BJP should name him 'super spokesperson'. Before he went on the tour, the Congress had been unhappy about his public comments since Operation Sindoor, and, in one instance, said he had crossed the 'lakshman rekha (red line)'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
35 minutes ago
- Hans India
Vokkaligas and Lingayats are OBCs at the national level: DKS
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, while asserting that Vokkaligas and Lingayats were considered OBCs at the national level, said that the OBC Advisory Council meeting was being held to uplift the Backward Classes. He was speaking to reporters at Bijjahalli in Kanakapura taluk. The Deputy Chief Minister said, 'There are many wings in the party for various sections of society like minorities, SC/ST, etc. Jains and Sikhs are also part of minority wing. The BJP gets restless if it doesn't raise issues like this.' He was replying to a question on BJP leaders' criticism that Siddaramaiah being given the responsibility of OBC Advisory Council was a ploy to send him off to national politics. 'I had suggested that the OBC Advisory Council meeting be held at the KPCC office as the party is in power in the state. Over 40 leaders from across the country are participating in the meeting,' he added.
Hans India
35 minutes ago
- Hans India
Surya questions BMRCL over Metro yellow line delay
Bengalur: BharatiyaJanata Party MP Tejasvi Surya has once again raised strong objection to the repeated delays in launching the commercial operations of Bengaluru's much-awaited Yellow Line. The MP, along with several BJP leaders and supporters, staged a protest near Lalbagh on July 5, demanding immediate commencement of operations. The protest, organized by the BJP, saw the participation of multiple legislators and parliamentarians, including MLA CK Ramamurthy and MP PC Mohan. The group marched from Lalbagh East Gate towards the BMRCL (Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited) MD's office, voicing frustration over the repeated postponement of the launch of yellow line. Addressing the protestors, Tejasvi Surya said, 'Metro and buses are vital public transport systems. But the key yellow line connecting south Bengaluru to Electronic City has not opened even after four years of delay. It was scheduled to begin in 2021, and even now, there's no clarity.' He further questioned the BMRCL on the recent 100% hike in Metro fares, asking why such an increase was implemented without transparency. 'Where is the fare revision report? The public deserves to know. BMRCL must make the fare determination committee's report public,' Surya demanded. BMRCL MD Maheshwar Rao had previously stated that the yellow line is expected to be operational by August 15, but growing public discontent is mounting pressure on the authorities. Police had deployed KSRP vehicles and security personnel to manage the protest and ensure order as hundreds marched protesting the delays. The BJP has accused the BMRCL of inefficiency and is pressing for greater accountability, especially with the yellow llne considered critical for decongesting the city's southern tech corridor.
New Indian Express
40 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
RTI reveals vlogger held for spying visited Kerala on government invite; sparks row
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Haryana-based vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, who was recently arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan, had visited Kerala on the invitation of the state government as part of its efforts to promote tourism, it has emerged. The revelation, which came in the form of an RTI reply, has triggered controversy with criticism being raised from various corners against the government decision. Jyoti was arrested on May 16, a few days after 'Operation Sindoor'. According to the RTI document, Jyoti was among 41 social media influencers enlisted by the tourism department from January 1, 2024, to May 21, 2025, to promote state tourism. She visited Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, Alappuzha and Munnar, with the state government bearing her expenses and paying a remuneration. Reacting to the development, Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said the vloggers were brought to boost Kerala's tourism prospects. 'We had good intentions. Everyone knows that. Do you think the state government invited her for spying and provided all assistance?' the minister asked.
