Politics is a practical way to do something for the country, says Shashi Tharoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor (file) | Photo Credit: ANI

“If politics is about power, what good are ethics and ideology?” asked author and member of parliament Shashi Tharoor.

Responding to a question about his chances of joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the ‘India’s present’ event at Horthus, an arts and literature festival organized at Kozhikode beach on Friday, he said that politics is an effective way to do something for the country, as it helped him influence decisions. “A politician must have an opinion about society. If it’s money and power you want, there are other options. Politics must be used to serve the public,” he said in the interview.

Mr. Tharoor ended up speaking softly when he recalled the controversies that erupted in the State based on some of his speeches when they were misinterpreted.

“I thought it was better not to comment,” he said. Touching on the controversy surrounding his recent book on Ambedkar, he said he was in agreement with some of Ambedkar’s arguments but did not like the way they were framed. “You don’t always have to support or oppose an idea. The world is not all black and white. On the other hand, I don’t agree with making God a person, supporting everything he says, as if he doesn’t make mistakes,” said Mr. Tharoor.

He also explained his position on the system of segregation of people in this country. “Although I personally don’t like it, I can’t deny that the caste system is a painful reality that we cannot ignore. In northern India, in particular, it is a factor that influences literacy, employment, and even land ownership. People in the upper class have the luxury of denying their status, but those in the lower class are made to live with it every day,” he said.

Mr. Tharoor also predicted a dangerous situation that awaited the country after the census and the upcoming delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies based on population. North Indian states with large population getting more seats in the Parliament will lead to the implementation of policies in their favor and based on their views. He appealed to the South Indian countries to stay united against this change that could destroy the country’s unity and show the northern countries how to live in harmony.