Tharoor's security to be enhanced after oil attack by Yuva Morcha vandals

Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, has sought police protection after Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists attacked his office in the Kerala capital on Monday.

The former UN under secretary-general has written to city police commissioner, Thiruvananthapuram, P Prakash seeking protection. He said he needed police protection to ensure the smooth functioning of his office. Tharoor also demanded stringent action against the culprits. Tharoor's office said that the MP had not sought any personal security.

Reports from Thiruvananthapuram said Tharoor's security cover would be enhanced and he may get an additional pilot vehicle.

BJYM workers poured engine soot oil on the premises of his office and placed a wreath at the entrance. BJYM was protesting Tharoor's recent statement that the BJP, if voted to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, will pave way for the creation of a Hindu Pakistan.

"Today @YUVAMORCHABJP vandals attacked my constituency office in Thiruvananthapuram. They poured black engine oil on signs, doors, walls & gate, drove away innocent citizens waiting with their petitions, put up offensive banners & shouted slogans asking me to go to Pakistan," Tharoor tweeted.

"We have all been warned. The BJP's answer to the simple question have you given up the dream of a Hindu Rashtra? is apparently vandalism & violence. That is the face they have shown in Thiruvananthapuram today. Most Hindus will say these Sanghi goondas do not represent us," he wrote on the micro-blogging platform.

The Congress had distanced itself from Tharoor's 'Hindu Pakistan' remark made at an event here on Thursday, while the BJP sought an apology from party president Rahul Gandhi for the 'attack on Indian democracy and Hindus' by the MP.

Tharoor was at the TCS office in Technopark when the incident occurred.

Tharoor had kicked up a row with his Hindu-Pakistan remark. Also, he had repeatedly stated, following his last book 'Why I am a Hindu' that symbols of Hinduism were not the monopoly of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar.

(With inputs from PTI)