Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor published the first instalment of a two-part analytical column on #OperationToofan in Mathrubhumi English on Friday, June 5, 2026, weighing in on what he describes as a significant defence development from a policy perspective.

Context

Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha and previously served as a Union Minister and UN Under-Secretary-General, has a long record of contributing detailed analytical pieces to mainstream and regional publications on matters of national importance. His decision to frame this as a two-part series signals the depth of examination he intends to bring to the subject. The column is his first public written commentary on Operation Toofan.

By choosing Mathrubhumi English — the English-language platform of the Kozhikode-headquartered Mathrubhumi group, one of Kerala's most widely read media organisations — Tharoor is addressing both a Kerala-rooted readership and a broader national audience that follows the outlet's opinion section.

Policy Backdrop

Indian parliamentarians across party lines have increasingly used regional and national media columns to shape public discourse on security and defence matters, particularly in the aftermath of significant military operations or policy decisions. Two-part analytical formats are a favoured vehicle for detailed examination, allowing writers to establish factual groundwork in the first part before moving to broader implications in the second.

Tharoor's contributions to public debate on defence and foreign policy have historically reflected the Indian National Congress party's perspective, often raising questions about strategic doctrine, civilian oversight, and diplomatic consequences. His background at the United Nations lends his commentary on international security matters a distinct institutional weight.

Stakeholders and Impact

The column is likely to be closely read by Kerala's politically engaged audience, defence analysts, and opposition circles seeking a structured critique or assessment of the operation. Given Tharoor's national profile, the piece is also expected to circulate beyond the state and inform commentary in broader policy forums.

Supporters of the operation may view the column as an opposition framing exercise, while those seeking independent analytical perspectives will likely engage with the substance of his two-part argument. The second instalment, when published, will complete the analytical arc Tharoor has begun.

What's Next

Readers and analysts will be watching for the publication of the second part of Tharoor's column, which is expected to deepen the analysis introduced in this opening instalment. Any official response from the government, the defence establishment, or rival political voices would add a further layer to the ongoing public debate around Operation Toofan. Tharoor's two-part framework suggests the full argument — and its political implications — will only become clear once both pieces are in the public domain.