Congress leader Shashi Tharoor made a grammatical error in a birthday message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, writing 'in his 76th birthday' instead of the correct 'on his 76th birthday'. The mistake was quickly noticed by social media users, who pointed out the error in Tharoor's message.

Tharoor, known for his meticulous command of the English language, extended birthday wishes to Modi on September 17, 2026, but the preposition 'in' was used instead of 'on'. The message read: 'Warm greetings to Prime Minister @narendramodi in his 76th birthday. Wishing him a very happy day and a healthy and fulfilling year ahead. My best wishes to him on this occasion for continued public service to our beloved nation.'

A user on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the mistake, stating, 'Shashi ji made a grammar mistake!!! Even if it is fat finger!!!' Tharoor acknowledged the error the following day, replying, 'Yea “on” his birthday became “in”. This happens all the time alas.'

Social media users reacted with humor, suggesting that even the matrix must have glitched if a Congress leader could make such a mistake. One user wrote, 'Has to be a glitch in the matrix. Now I'm certain we're living in a simulation,' while another added, 'Frame it in the Louvre or Bharat Mandapam.'

The incident follows Tharoor's previous criticism over his use of the word 'drama' in a post about the flash floods in Nepal. In that instance, Tharoor had referred to the disaster as 'drama', which drew backlash from users questioning the choice of words given the severity of the situation. Tharoor later explained that he used the term in a different sense, referring to a situation involving conflicting forces, but acknowledged the potential for misinterpretation.

The incident highlights the public's scrutiny of political figures' language, even in seemingly minor errors. While Tharoor's mistake was acknowledged and downplayed, it underscores the importance of precision in communication, particularly for leaders who are often under intense public and media scrutiny.

What remains unknown is whether the error had any impact on Tharoor's public image or political standing. Additionally, there is no information on whether Modi or his office commented on the mistake. The incident also raises questions about the broader cultural and linguistic expectations placed on public figures in India, where language is often seen as a marker of competence and integrity.