The four time MP from Thiruvananthapuram shared a video on X from his relief work and captioned it, “Some memories of a memorable day in Wayanad.” After the post drew ire, Tharoor responded, defending his usage of “memorable”, explaining its meaning.
The video features Tharoor unloading aid supplies from a truck, followed by scenes of his visit to relief camps and areas affected by landslides.
Known to be a wordsmith, Tharoor was not spared by those deeming his choice of words insensitive. BJP leader Amit Malviya was quick to slam the Congress leader and responded to his post saying, “Deaths and disaster are memorable for Shashi Tharoor”
The same sentiment was echoed by several others, with some reiterating Amit Malviya’s comment.
“Memorable”? Hundreds died, Shashi. Don’t be like Rahul for whom everything is fun and frolic,” one social media user wrote.
“Meet elite MP Shashi Tharoor. He went to tragedy-hit Wayanad to have a “memorable” day,” another user added.
However, Tharoor saw no issue with referring to it as a “memorable day” and defended it.
In a follow-up post on X, he explained, “For all the trolls: the definition of ‘memorable’ is something worth remembering or likely to be remembered because it is special or unforgettable. That’s all I meant.”
On July 30, three massive landslides devastated the areas of Meppadi, Mundakkai Town, and Chooralmala in Wayanad, destroying entire villages. By Sunday, the death toll had risen to 358, with rescuers still retrieving bodies and body parts from the rubble.
Rescue operations were scaled up on Saturday with the use of advanced radars, drones, and heavy machinery to find survivors or recover deceased individuals. Additionally, the state government announced plans to create a new township to rehabilitate those displaced by the disaster.