In a recent controversy, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reacts to Vivek Agnihotri's vaccine allegations, branding them a publicity stunt. Tharoor highlights the danger of persistent false claims influencing public perception.
In a recent development, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has responded to filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri’s allegations of him promoting foreign vaccines, deeming it a mere ploy for publicity. Tharoor expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of such false claims gaining traction. He stated that he intends to seek legal advice on the matter, emphasizing that the danger lies in the repetition of untruths, which may lead some individuals to accept them as facts.
It is a obviously a cheap bid for publicity, but the concern is that once a lie is repeated often enough, some people will start to believe it. Am seeking legal advice. https://t.co/aCsr3D0LYK
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 27, 2023
The controversy emerged a day before the India release of Vivek Agnihotri’s documentary, “The Vaccine War.” Agnihotri openly accused Shashi Tharoor of endorsing foreign vaccines in a recent interview. Tharoor, however, firmly refuted these allegations and characterized them as a thinly veiled attempt at garnering attention. He reiterated the importance of countering false narratives that, if left unchallenged, could mislead the public.
A viral clip from Agnihotri’s interview features his stance on celebrities endorsing products for financial gain, contrasting it with individuals in constitutional positions. He specifically mentioned Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, and Shashi Tharoor. Agnihotri emphasized that while commercial endorsements by celebrities are commonplace, the ethical concerns arise when public figures use their positions for personal financial gain at the potential expense of the nation’s interests.
In reference to Tharoor, Agnihotri clarified that he was not making allegations but merely presenting facts as portrayed in his documentary. He also highlighted the film’s content, suggesting that certain sensitive aspects are blurred in the Indian version due to regulatory constraints, but they are presented unfiltered in the international release.
