shashi tharoor X
Renowned author, eloquent orator, and seasoned politician Dr. Shashi Tharoor has highlighted a serious anomaly in the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
One of India’s most admired public figures across politics, literature, and culture, Tharoor’s follower count remains inexplicably stuck at 8.4 million for over four years, raising disturbing questions about transparency, accountability, and the functionality of the algorithms on X.
The Anomaly: Stuck at 8.4 Million
Dr. Tharoor, whose wit and eloquence bring him applause from all quarters of society, suddenly broke out on X that his follower count had never crossed 8.495 million since 2019. Meanwhile, his daily follower statistics seem to reflect very considerable growth-beating by more than 1,000 new followers per day.
Still, the number is the same, hinting at deeper malice in the algorithm or, worse still, deliberate suppression.
“My daily statistics showed over 1,000 new followers each day with about 60-70 ‘unfollows.’ The overall number never budged beyond 8.495 million. This has been the case for years,” Tharoor wrote in his post.
A pattern so unique would be distressing for any public figure or individual like Tharoor whose digital presence has a lot to do with connecting with citizens.
Charge of Shadow-Banning
Tharoor thus suspected what he describes as “shadow-banning,” where one’s posts are deliberately hidden or suppressed on a platform by someone and without notifying the said user. This is worsened by complaints from his followers that his posts appear infrequently on their timelines.
It is much more than just about numbers; it is also about transparency and fairness. The fact that an account like Tharoor’s is being shadow-banned sets a worrying precedent for freedom of expression on social media platforms.
X’s Inaction and Dismissal
In an attempt to draw attention to the matter, Tharoor wrote to X owner Elon Musk. Instead of any response or investigation, he got a lawyer’s letter stating there was no problem. “So much for corporate responsiveness,” Tharoor sarcastically noted as he bemoaned the failure of this platform to heed legitimate concerns.
And irony, as they say, is not lost anywhere. Free speech and open dialogue bastion Musk has so far failed to reveal the reason in the case of Tharoor.
A Larger Problem with X?
Tharoor’s case may be only the tip of the iceberg. Under Musk’s leadership, X has been repeatedly criticized, from capricious policy changes to declining user trust.
Lacking transparency over how algorithms function or accounts are moderated has led to a high percentage of people questioning the platform’s genuine interest in fairness.
This is not an isolated case of stagnation of Tharoor’s followers. Many users, especially critical voices on powerful institutions or individuals, report the same problem.
If this is the case with someone like Tharoor, one can just imagine the plight of less influential voices.
The Role of XCorp India
Tharoor mentioned the following specific names: XCorp India. The regional arm of the platform was particularly criticized for showing apathy.
No communication emerged on the issue from XCorp India, despite multiple reports and growing public scrutiny. Silence on an issue reflects badly on the commitment of an organization in resolving user grievances.
Social media operates within the context of credibility. The inaction of XCorp India risks the damage of this reputation, particularly by such a country that maintains that public figures depend greatly on such platforms like X to connect with their constituents.
Public Outrage and Advocacy
Tharoor has made this issue public, and the response has been huge. Proponents have aired grievances about the ethics and level of transparency within X’s operations. Many have called for an independent audit to prove that the algorithms treating users fairly work in favor of all of them.
In fact, the contradictions of X’s policies have also been pointed out by the social media users. The platform is supposed to promote open dialogues; however, it has been believed to suppress some voices in this nontransparent practice.
Tharoor’s case puts a focus on the absolutely urgent need for accountability in how social media actually functions. Algorithms are not just lines of code; they affect public discourse and determine the reach of critical voices. When they’re not transparent about their functioning, suppression can be both unintentional and intentional.
X must ask itself the following questions:
- Why has Dr. Tharoor’s follower count not improved despite such obvious growth?
- Is there evidence of shadow-banning, and if so, who is behind this?
- Why XCorp India didn’t respond to these issues appropriately?
Conclusion
Dr. Shashi Tharoor’s allegations against X raise an important issue that faces contemporary digital platforms: transparency and accountability. Where social media shapes public opinion, platforms like X have no option but to operate at the highest ethical standards.
While Tharoor has trivialized the issue as “petty” in comparison to all that is larger nationally, the implications of such practices are far reaching. They impact not just one individual, but the very fabric of democratic discourse. It is high time X and its leadership take these concerns seriously and provide clear answers.
Until then, there are users like Tharoor and thousands more waiting to get the silent suppression of their voices within spaces that call out to amplify them.
