Express News Service By

BJP senior leader O Rajagopal has demanded Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor to tender an apology for his allegedly demeaning statement on Swami Vivekananda.

Rajagopal told a press meet here on Friday that what Tharoor stated at the function organised as part of the unveiling of Swami Vivekananda’s statue here was regrettable and unfortunate. He said that Tharoor should withdraw the statement and tender an unconditional apology.

“Shashi Tharoor has hurt the sentiments of the country. It was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who declared Swami Vivekananda as a role model for the youth. Following this, Swamiji’s birthday, January 12, is being celebrated as the National Youth day. Now Tharoor has depicted him as an alcoholic. He should realise his fault and tender a sincere apology to the youth of the country,” Rajagopal said.

He said that the occasion Tharoor chose to make the demeaning statement was one of the important functions held as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the great saint and which was attended by the Vice -President. Rajagopal asked Tharoor to clarify from where he had sourced the information that Swamiji was an alcoholic.