I worry about Hindu-Hindi-Hindustan politics: Shashi Tharoor on North-South divide

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday expressed concerns over the divisive nature of what he termed "Hindu-Hindi-Hindustan politics” of the ruling BJP government.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday expressed concerns over the divisive nature of what he termed "Hindu-Hindi-Hindustan politics” of the ruling BJP government. “It has raised disquiet amongst many southern politicians,” Shashi Tharoor said as he spoke about the North-South divide.

“If the South faces political disenfranchisement, to go along with the sense of financial victimisation, then that’s bound to generate resentment that can spill over the confines of our routine politics. I don’t want the unity and integrity of India to be threatened in any way,” Shashi Tharoor said while speaking at the 54th anniversary event of a magazine in Chennai.

The Congress leader expressed deep concerns about the state of India's federalism. "Our PM speaks of cooperative federalism, but it seems that the states are the only ones who are expected to cooperate, and the Union government operates at its own sweet will," Tharoor remarked.

“If the intention is to fill up the new Lok Sabha hall, Uttar Pradesh may have more number of MPs than the entire South together. If the Hindi-speaking states have a 2/3rd majority, what stops them from bringing an amendment making Hindi the national language?” Shashi Tharoor questioned.

“It is essential that all people feel that the common nationhood is a winning proposition for them,” Shashi Tharoor said.