Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has weighed in on the recent comments made by party colleague Digvijaya Singh regarding the organisational strength of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Tharoor emphasized the need for discipline within the Congress party while carefully distancing himself from Singh's specific remarks.
Tharoor's Call for Internal Discipline
Speaking to the ANI news agency on December 28, 2025, Shashi Tharoor addressed the ongoing discussion. "Even I want our organisation to strengthen. There should be discipline in our organisation," the Congress MP stated. He elaborated that the party has a rich 140-year history from which it can learn valuable lessons.
Tharoor made a broad point about political conduct, noting that "Discipline is essential, no matter which party you belong to." However, when pressed specifically on Digvijaya Singh's praise for the RSS, Tharoor was clear: "Digvijaya Singh can speak for himself... You must ask him about what he said." This nuanced response highlights the sensitive nature of the topic within the party.
Digvijaya Singh's Controversial Praise
The controversy began on Saturday, December 27, 2025, when senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh made statements admiring the RSS's organisational capacity, despite his firm opposition to its ideology. Singh, who was attending a Congress Working Committee meeting in New Delhi, stated he remains a staunch opponent of the RSS's beliefs, which he claims show no respect for the Constitution or the country's laws.
Yet, he expressed admiration for their structural strength. "I admire their organisational capacity because an organisation that isn't even registered has become so powerful that the Prime Minister says from the Red Fort that it is the world's largest NGO," Singh remarked. He further suggested that there is always room for improvement within any organisation, including the Congress party.
The remarks were partly triggered by a social media post Singh shared on December 27. He posted a black-and-white photograph from the 1990s, sourced from Quora, showing a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor near senior BJP leader L.K. Advani at a Gujarat event. Singh's accompanying caption on X highlighted the "power of the organisation" in propelling a grassroots worker to the positions of Chief Minister and Prime Minister.
Clarifications and Internal Ramifications
Following significant criticism, Digvijaya Singh later clarified that his comments had been misunderstood. "I support the organisation. I am against the RSS and Modi ji. You have misunderstood. I have praised 'sangathan' (organisation)," he explained. He reiterated his lifelong opposition to the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while standing by his view that praising organisational strength is not inherently wrong.
This episode has fanned rumours of internal differences within the Congress party regarding its own structure and discipline. The public exchange between two senior leaders, Tharoor and Singh, puts a spotlight on the ongoing internal debate about how the historic party can revitalise its grassroots machinery and operational efficiency.
The incident underscores a complex political reality where parties may acknowledge the operational successes of their rivals while remaining ideologically opposed. For the Congress, the challenge remains balancing honest self-assessment with maintaining a united front against its political opponents.
