Tharoor had condemned the actions of Rajput "maharajas" +

As for specific concerns of the Rajput community, people's sentiments must be respected in the interests of India's… https://t.co/y79xiepjqW — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) 1510857457000

क्या सभी महाराजाओं ने ब्रिटिश के सामने घुटने टेके थे??? शशि थरूर की इस टिप्पणी पर क्या कहेंगे ज्योतिरादित्य सिंधि… https://t.co/L3UTfAU8wS — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) 1510897799000

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday appeared to have backed down from the tough stance he'd taken against Rajput protestors agitating against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama ' Padmavati '.Previously,who are loudly protesting against the movie on the grounds that it is an insult to their honour. The Congress MP pointed out that historically, certain Rajput maharajas had turned tail when faced with the might of the British empire, even striking a bargain for their self-preservation.However, following backlash from certain sections of society and polity, he seems to have done an about-face. The Congress leader defended his remarks, saying he didn't mean to disparage the Rajput community as a whole."I am dismayed that some BJP supporters are claiming I attacked Rajput honour... I spoke about the Maharajahs who made their accommodations with the British. I have never made a communal comment in my life," Tharoor said in a tweet.Then, without directly refering to the furore over Padmavati, Tharoor said the ruling BJP should address the concerns of the Rajputs and respect their sentiments."As for specific concerns of the Rajput community, people's sentiments must be respected in the interests of India's diversity and harmony. Rajput valour is part of our history and is not in question. BJP and its censors should take these concerns into account," he said in a second tweet.Tharoor's backtracking came only a day after he waded into the Padmavati controversy, when he had said the following at a literary event in Mumbai: "Every single one of these so called valorous maharajas, who today are after a Mumbai filmmaker because their honour is at stake, they were less concerned about their honour when the British were trampling all over it. They scurried to accommodate themselves."Earlier today, BJP minister Smriti Irani challenged the credibility of Tharoor's charge and wondered what his party colleagues thought of his sweeping remarks."Did every maharaja surrender before the British? What will Jyotiraditya Scindia, Digvijay Singh and Amarinder Singh have to say about Shashi Tharoor's comment?" Irani tweeted.The Shri Rajput Karni Sena and some other outfits have been on the warpath against Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, accusing the filmmaker of distorting history and hurting Hindu sentiments with his depiction of an alleged relationship between Rajput queen Padmini and Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji.