Shashi Tharoor responds ‘not for every mortal’ after UK professor calls idlis ‘boring’

South Indians on Twitter assembled on social media to defend one of their favourite delicacies after a British professor declared that idli was the “most boring” thing in the world.

In what is now being widely referred to as ‘Idligate’, Edward Anderson, a History lecturer from Northumbria University as per his Twitter bio, quote-tweeted a tweet by Zomato India, which had asked followers to name a dish that they have never understood “why people like soo much (sic)”.

To this, Anderson tweeted, “Idli are the most boring things in the world.”

Anticipating a backlash from south Indian Twitter, he added in a following tweet that he loves “basically all south Indian food” except idli and puttu.

“p.s. Before the whole of south India attacks me, can I just say that I love dosa and appam and basically all south Indian food. But idli (and puttu for that matter) are insufferable,” he said.

And as expected, south India and its “omnipresent” diaspora rose up in arms to defend the hearty and fluffy breakfast item.

Among those who vehemently disagreed with Anderson were Shashi Tharoor and his son Ishaan.

“I think I've encountered the most offensive take on Twitter,” Ishaan tweeted. Anderson replied to him with a GIF of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg saying, “That was a big mistake. And it was my mistake. And I’m sorry.”

“Thanks, Ishaan. I seem to have united the entirety of south Indian twitter against me,” he tweeted along with the GIF.

Shashi Tharoor’s comment, however, sounded more wrathful (yet forgiving) than his son’s when he tweeted that “civilisation is hard to acquire”, which included taste and refinement to appreciate idlis.

“Yes, my son, there are some who are truly challenged in this world. Civilisation is hard to acquire: the taste & refinement to appreciate idlis, enjoy cricket, or watch ottamthullal is not given to every mortal. Take pity on this poor man, for he may never know what Life can be,” Tharoor tweeted.

Anderson could only say, “Oh dear” to that.

But, in another tweet, the History lecturer told the senior Congress leader that he is re-reading Tharoor’s book Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India and has even asked his students to read it for class.

“Oh no, I feared that the world's most famous idli evangelist would see this after @ishaantharoor tweeted it! Coincidentally 'this poor man' is currently re-reading one of your books which I've set my students to read for a class next week!” Anderson tweeted.

In a cheeky reply, Tharoor said that class will be better if students read the book along with a “plate of steaming idlis”.

“Try it with a plate of steaming idlis, accompanied by coconut chutney with a garnish of mustard seeds, a red-chilli-and-onion samandi & some molagapodi w/melted ghee. If the idli batter has been fermented right, it’s the closest thing to heaven on this earth! Class will be better.”

Having encountered some fervent idli lovers, Anderson even wondered if his in-laws in Kerala would forgive him.

“Wow. I now know to criticise south Indian food at my peril! The idli defenders appear to be a seriously passionate bunch. But will my in-laws in Kerala forgive me??”

However, Anderson’s opinion on idlis remain unchanged as he tweeted later that he had ordered idlis for lunch.

“Having accidentally enraged the entirety of South India (and its omnipresent diaspora) on twitter, it was only right to order idlis for lunch. I’m very sorry to report that my unpopular - or “blasphemous”, as some have said - opinion remains unchanged. #sorrynotsorry,” he tweeted.

“For the record, the sambar and chutney were good. And I still adore almost all of the wonderful cuisine of south India. Thanks to Newcastle’s Malayali restaurant, Ury, for the idlis. I may not have finished them, but the delicious fish curry, dosa and payasam were devoured,” he said in another tweet.

The History professor later took to Twitter to let his followers know that the Thiruvananthapuram MP has started following him on Twitter post ‘Idligate’.

“Another twist in the tale of idli-gate. (He must be keeping an eye on me to make sure I don't denounce any other South Indian delicacies.... which I won't!),” he tweeted sharing a screenshot showing Tharoor as his new follower!