In the theatre of Indian politics, the script is often unpredictable, and the props can be as mundane as a humble cauliflower. A bizarre social media spat that began with a video of a vegetable has now spiralled into a multi-state political row, drawing in state ministers, a deputy chief minister, and now, in his own inimitable style, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
How the ‘Gobi’ Row Began
The controversy was seeded when Assam’s Urban Affairs Minister, Ashok Singhal, shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) purportedly showing a farmer in Bihar injecting a cauliflower, or ‘gobi’, with a substance to make it appear larger and fresher. Singhal’s post was a direct jab, warning people to be “cautious” and implicitly criticising Bihar’s agricultural practices.
Tejashwi Yadav Hits Back at Assam Minister
The barb did not go unnoticed. Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, Tejashwi Yadav, quickly waded in to defend his state’s farmers. In a sharp retort, the RJD leader accused the BJP minister of having a “sick mentality” and of insulting the hard-working farmers of Bihar. He challenged Singhal to provide evidence or apologise, framing the post as a malicious attack on Bihar’s identity and its agrarian backbone. The stage was set for a classic BJP vs. Opposition, state vs. state confrontation.
Tharoor’s Protocol-Driven Response
As the digital firestorm grew, a social media user attempted to rope in a bigger name, tagging Shashi Tharoor in a post and urging him, along with other opposition leaders, to issue a joint statement condemning the Assam minister’s “hateful” comments against Biharis.
This is where the story took a quintessentially Tharoor-esque turn.
Instead of jumping into the fray with a boilerplate condemnation, the Thiruvananthapuram MP responded with a characteristically droll and precise clarification of his role. “That’s very kind of you,” he began, “but issuing joint statements on behalf of the Opposition is not my job.”
He went on to explain that such responsibilities lie with the party President, the Leader of the Opposition, or the designated General Secretary. With a touch of academic detachment, he concluded, “I am sure they will take note of your request. I am just a humble MP!”
A Masterclass in Political Sidestepping
Tharoor’s response was a masterclass in deflection, simultaneously sidestepping a regional squabble while subtly schooling the user on party hierarchy and political protocol. For his supporters, it was a display of his principled stand, refusing to be dragged into every Twitter outrage. For his critics, it might have seemed aloof, a sign of detachment from a grassroots issue affecting farmers.
Regardless of interpretation, his comment has become the latest talking point in the great Gobi debate. It highlights a fascinating clash of political styles: the provocative, regional politics of Singhal; the fiery, identity-based defence from Yadav; and the intellectually-distanced, protocol-driven approach of Tharoor.
What began as a questionable video about a vegetable has now exposed fault lines in inter-state relations, provided fodder for partisan attacks, and showcased the unique political brand of one of India’s most eloquent politicians. While the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Shashi Tharoor will engage on his own terms, and issuing joint statements on cauliflowers is simply not on his menu.
