New Delhi: The Congress party finds itself in the cross hairs once again, this time again due to senior leader Sam Pitroda’s controversial remarks regarding the appearance of Indians from different states.
Pitroda’s comments, deemed ‘racist’ by many, have provided yet another weapon for the opposition BJP to criticize the grand old party.
The Congress leader, known for his proximity to former AICC chief Rahul Gandhi, stated during an interview that people from India’s East resemble Chinese while those from the South resemble Africans.
This statement has sparked outrage, particularly among Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states in the Northeast, who have demanded an apology from the Congress.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Manipur CM N Biren Singh were quick to condemn Pitroda’s remarks, highlighting the unity and diversity of India. Sarma emphasized that despite physical differences, Indians are all one, while Singh labeled Pitroda’s comments as “very unfortunate” and demanded an apology from the Congress.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju who is also from Northeast region and BJP MP from Bengaluru South, Tejasvi Surya also criticized the Congress, with Rijiju expressing anger over Pitroda’s remarks and Surya likening the Congress to the ‘OG breaking India party’, referencing Pitroda’s comments as reminiscent of Churchill’s views on India.
BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan Sam labeled Pitroda as the ‘Shakuni of the Congress party’, accusing the Congress of harboring a “dangerous and divisive mindset.” Meanwhile, Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna criticized the Congress for speaking without understanding the heritage of the Northeast and called for punitive action against the party.
Pitroda’s statement has reignited the debate over the Congress party’s approach to diversity and unity in India, providing the BJP with ample ammunition to criticize its rival’s stance.
Pitroda was in news recently over his ‘inheritance tax’, remark, which BJP used effectively to crticise the Congress during election campaigns, the Congress distanced itself from the statement saying that it was not party’s statement.
