‘Why was my name announced without asking me?’, Shashi Tharoor said about Veer Savarkar Award

December 10, 2025

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the organisers of the Veer Savarkar Award for announcing his name without his knowledge or consent. Calling the move “irresponsible,” Tharoor said he had not received any formal communication regarding the honour.

He also stated that he would neither attend the ceremony nor accept the award until he was informed about the organisation behind it, the selection criteria, and other relevant details.

Award Details and Event Line-Up

The Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025 is scheduled for December 10 in New Delhi at the NDMC Convention Hall. The event is being organised by the High Range Rural Development Society (HRDS) to recognise contributions to national development, social reform, and humanitarian efforts.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the event, with Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha serving as the chief guest. Several prominent personalities from administrative, academic, and social sectors are expected to attend.

Legacy and Significance

The award is named after freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and seeks to acknowledge individuals whose work aligns with his ideological influence and impact on socio-political discourse.