francesca orsini Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has ignited a national discussion after commenting on the recent deportation of a foreign scholar from India. Taking to social media, Tharoor said “India needs to grow a thicker skin”, implying that dissent or criticism should not be treated as hostility.
The scholar, reportedly asked to leave the country over alleged visa violations, had been studying socio-political issues in India. Tharoor’s remarks came amid growing conversations about academic freedom and India’s global image.
“Democracies thrive on debate, not deportation,” Tharoor wrote, adding that nations confident in their identity should not fear scrutiny or differing opinions.
His statement drew mixed reactions — with supporters praising his defence of open discourse, while others argued that visa norms must be respected.
As the issue gains traction online, many political observers say the episode underscores the tension between national security and intellectual freedom in India’s evolving democracy.
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