Thackerays' ideology can be rendered irrelevant: Shashi Tharoor

It would not be easy to change ideology of people like the Thackerays but they can be "rendered irrelevant", feels Union minister Shashi Tharoor.

Asked on the social networking site 'Twitter' that if there was a chance to change the ideology of people like the Thackerays, he said, "perhaps not, but we can render them irrelevant. If majority votes for pluralist politics, bigots will c (see) no profit in intolerance."

The minister of state for external affairs also ruled out banning of parties provoking hatred and working against national interest, saying, "Banning is not the solution. We must win the battle of ideas. India's pluralism must be defended and promoted as superior to bigotry."

Twitter has seen number of tweets on the 'Mumbai for Marathi Manoos' controversy created by Shiv Sena which has also criticised filmstar Shah Rukh Khan for expressing willingness to take Pakistani cricketer for IPL if he had any slot left in his team Kolkata Knight Riders.

No Pakistani player was selected in the last month's auction for IPL tournament, triggering a strong reaction from that country. Number of people have also come in support of Khan on the site.