19 Apr. 24
Senior journalist Karan Thapar has delivered a forceful response to lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai’s recent accusations on social media, addressing claims related to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and urging transparency in the dissemination of information. Thapar, well-known for his role as an interviewer on The Wire’s platform, clarified that Dehadrai had manipulated the content and context of a text message sent to him in October 2022.
The dispute stems from a period when Shashi Tharoor was vying for the presidency of the Congress party, during which Dehadrai allegedly messaged Thapar with allegations of misconduct involving Tharoor and unidentified women. Thapar promptly contacted one of the women mentioned in the message, whose identity remains undisclosed, and she refuted the allegations. Concerned about the potential damage to Tharoor’s reputation and the woman’s privacy, Thapar attempted to reach out to Dehadrai directly to address the matter. Failing to connect via phone, Thapar resorted to sending a text message, which has since been selectively shared by Dehadrai.
Thapar emphasized that his sole intent was to prevent Dehadrai from spreading false claims about Tharoor and to safeguard the unnamed woman’s reputation. He categorically rejected any insinuation of “protecting dirty Shashi,” affirming his confidence in Tharoor’s character.
In his response, Thapar urged Dehadrai to release the complete, unedited text message chain to provide clarity on the matter. He also questioned the timing of Dehadrai’s public sharing of the redacted message, particularly amid the ongoing 2024 elections, raising concerns about potential political motives behind the dissemination of selective information.
This dispute has garnered significant attention due to its political implications, notably involving a prominent Congress leader and the broader context of electoral campaigns. Thapar’s response underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in public discourse, especially when dealing with serious allegations that could impact reputations and public perception.
Source: The Wire
