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Following intense speculation about whether the politician-author would share the platform with the RSS chief, Tharoor addressed his association with the Mumbai event
Tharoor highlighted his long-standing patron relationship with IIMUN since its founding, stressing that the public affairs platform operates independently as a youth-led educational movement.
(File image)
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has clarified his position regarding a high-profile youth conference in Mumbai, where Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address over 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha students.
Following intense speculation about whether the politician-author would share the platform with the RSS chief, Tharoor addressed his association with the event. He clarified that while he serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the host organisation—India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN)—his role does not entail attending every session or endorsing individual keynote speakers.
Advisory Role Distinguished from Event Attendance
Tharoor highlighted his long-standing patron relationship with IIMUN since its founding, stressing that the public affairs platform operates independently as a youth-led educational movement.
It is not RSS led. It’s a student movement that invites educationists and thought leaders of all backgrounds to address students. I believe in freedom of expression and will chair their Board meeting and events on 7th & 8th. Mr Bhagwat will meet them on 6th when I am in Delhi for…— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 4, 2026
He reiterated that his guidance to the board remains focused on fostering youth leadership and international diplomacy, rather than managing daily speaker invitations or political alignments. Consequently, being listed on the advisory panel alongside other prominent figures does not mean he will physically share the dais during the RSS chief’s interaction.
Key Details of the Mumbai Youth Conclave
The gathering has drawn widespread attention due to its scale and timing:
- Venue & Date: The inaugural ceremony takes place on 6 August 2026 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai.
- Delegates: Over 2,000 students aged between 15 and 19 years, representing schools and colleges from more than 100 cities nationwide.
- Theme: The session centres around “The Role of Youth in Uniting the World, the Indian Way”.
- Organisers: Marking its 15th anniversary, IIMUN runs civic engagement programmes reaching millions of young minds across 40 countries.
Political Backdrop and Growing Outreach
The session comes at a delicate political juncture, following recent nationwide student-led demonstrations that brought youth issues to the forefront of national discourse.
While IIMUN leadership described the dialogue with Mohan Bhagwat as an essential opportunity for leaders to listen to the next generation, several opposition voices have questioned the timing of such outreach efforts aimed at Gen Z.
By setting the record straight, Tharoor has drawn a clear line between his patron support for student diplomacy platforms and active participation in events featuring ideological opponents.
About the Author
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
August 04, 2026, 22:43 IST
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