Outrage Over Congress Leader Sam Pitroda’s Racist Remarks on Bharatiya’ Physical Attributes

Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th May. Congressman Sam Pitroda’s racist remarks against the physical attributes of Indians from different places have caused a stir in the media. Pitroda’s comments in an interview have drawn harsh condemnation and raised political tensions during the current election season.

Sam Pitroda, the President of the Indian Overseas Congress, has chosen to resign from his position in response to the outcry over his racist comments regarding Indians from different locations. Mallikarjun Kharge, President of Congress, has accepted the resignation.

Sam Pirtoda, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent interview with a media house and the Bharatiya Janata Party of “endangering” the “secular and diverse idea of India” through their frequent temple visits, the observance of Hindu holidays like Ram Navami, and the celebration of the massive Ram Mandir.

He asserted that Indians who are native to the country’s east side resemble Chinese people, those who live in the west appear Middle Eastern, those who live in the north resemble “white people,” and those who live in the south like “African” people.

“This will ultimately affect our economy, employment, future, safety and security,” claimed Sam Pitroda. This is one perspective, and it revolves around the Ram temple, God, the past, tradition, Bhagwan (Lord) Hanuman, Bajrang Dal, and a host of other topics. Okay, I respect what they think. Another faction claims that, in contrast to Hindu Rashtra, the nation’s founding fathers battled against the British Raj in favor of a secular state. Pakistan made the decision to establish a nation based solely on religion to observe the results. We are the world’s best example of democracy. With the exception of a few occasional arguments, we have lived for 70–75 years in a pretty contented atmosphere.

He then on, “We could hold a country together as diverse as India where people look like Arabs on the West, Chinese on the East, maybe White people on the North, and Africans on the South.” Not important. Each of us is a brother or sister. Everybody respects many languages. We all honor variations in appearance, culture, and faith. Various foods, and since I’m Gujarati, I adore idli and dosa. That’s what I eat. That cuisine is no longer South Indian. Alright, that’s the India I envision, where everyone finds a place and makes some small adjustments.

"We could hold together a country as diverse as India, where people on East look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africa" 💀💀

(VC : @TheStatesmanLtd) pic.twitter.com/aPQUyJflag

— Darshan Pathak (@darshanpathak) May 8, 2024

“You know, even if I go to Tamil Nadu and I can’t speak the language, I’m still at home,” he asserted. Alright, I’m loved by everyone. That’s my India, so I can go to any store, buy anything, and stay in any hotel. Okay, so the Prime Minister’s frequent visits to temples and the Ram temple both cast doubt on the notion of an India founded on democracy, freedom, liberty, and fraternity. You know, he is speaking as the leader of the BJP rather than as a national leader.

Pitroda encounters criticism once more

Pitroda, whose remarks regarding the US inheritance tax last month caused a major spat with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was again attacked by chief ministers and other officials of the ruling party.

Shabd Uncle Sam ke, Rahul ki Soch

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the opposition Congress and its leader, calling Pitroda’s remark appalling, vile, and repulsive.

“He is Rahul Gandhi’s tutor. It is Rahul Gandhi’s phrase, spirit, lexicon, and worldview, according to Poonawalla.

They first split along linguistic, religious, and caste lines. They are now splitting Indians against each other. Isn’t it discriminatory to say that Indians and Chinese people are similar?.. Isn’t that a crude and offensive remark? It demonstrates that “Racism ka Saman and Nafrat ki Mohabbat ki Dukan actually exist,” Poonawalla continued.

Shabd Uncle Sam ke
Soch Rahul ki

Pitting Bharatiya versus Bharatiya
Racism & nafrat ki dukaan

Comparing people of north east to Chinese! South to Africans!

Congress must sack him! And clarify .. he is a serial offender ! From Hua to Hua to this! pic.twitter.com/FHtiJoPgI9

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) May 8, 2024

I now understand how Rahul Gandhi gets absurd statements

Pitroda’s remarks were also criticized by senior BJP politician and party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, who stated: “It becomes clear again and again that what does Sam Pitroda understand about India.” It is obvious that he is not a success. He has no understanding of the nation. He advises Rahul Gandhi. I now understand Rahul Gandhi’s absurdities.This is how defeat frustrates you. They have little knowledge of India or its history.

#WATCH | On Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda's controversial "People in East look like Chinese, in South look like Africans…" remark, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "It becomes clear again and again that what does Sam Pitroda understand about India. It is… pic.twitter.com/w7EvYZ1hiS

— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

Pitroda: ‘INDI allaince’s shame!’

BJP politician and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared, “I am from South India.” I appear Indian! North East India has eager members on my team. They appear to be Indian! My West Indian coworkers appear Indian! However, to the bigot who serves as Rahul Gandhi’s tutor, we all appear to be White, Chinese, Arab, or African! I appreciate you sharing your perspective and disposition. Shame of the I.N.D.I alliance!

I am from South India. I look Indian! My team has enthusiastic members from north east India. They look Indian! My colleagues from west India look Indian!
But, for the racist who is the mentor of @RahulGandhi we all look African, Chinese, Arab and the White! Thanks for… pic.twitter.com/UzXi4ndwhk

— Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) May 8, 2024

‘I look like an Indian’

Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) said: “Sam bhai, I am from the northeast, and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country – we may look different, but we are all one. Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo!”

Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country – we may look different but we are all one.

Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo! https://t.co/eXairi0n1n

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 8, 2024

 

“Congress has consistently attempted to split India”

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh remarked, “Such a mockery in the India’s diversity is highly unacceptable,” and he asked Pitroda and the Congress to apologize.

“I denounce Congressman Sam Pitroida’s bigoted remark directed at the Northeasterner people. The Congress has consistently attempted to use its Divide and Rule strategy to split India. However, they need to understand that Northeast has always been a part of India, Singh wrote in a post on X.

I condemn Congress leader, Sam Pitroida's racist comment against the people of Northeast.

The Congress has always tried to divide India with their Divide and Rule policy. But they must know that NE has been a part of India and will always be.

Such a mockery in the India's…

— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) May 8, 2024

‘Shame on Congress’

Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh Mandi, also took a swipe at Pitroda for his “racist and divisive jibes for Indians.”

Sam Pitroda is Rahul Gandhi’s mentor. Listen to his racist & divisive jibes for Indians.

Their whole ideology is about divide & rule. It's sickening to call fellow Indians Chinese and African.

Shame on Congress! pic.twitter.com/WDSYAuFbht

— Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) May 8, 2024

Sam Pitroda: Who Is He? An Immensely Prominent Person Within Congress.
Pitroda, a prominent member of the Congress party who has garnered criticism for his outspoken statements on delicate subjects, has been called Rahul Gandhi’s “mentor” and has been instrumental in formulating the party’s platform and electoral plans for many years.
His duties as the Indian Overseas Congress Chairman included promoting Gandhi’s reputation abroad and strengthening the party’s worldwide footprint.

Many controversies have dogged his term. Prior to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he was criticized for his comments regarding the 1984 anti-Sikh rights movement, which seemed to minimize the seriousness of the violence.
“So, how about ’84, ka? We have five rooms, so let’s see what happens. Hua to hua mein 84 mein. How are you doing? Pitroda claimed that the PM and the saffron camp had chastised him for making this statement.

Pitroda’s previous remarks regarding inheritance taxes

Pitroda made headlines last month when he increased his support for the “inheritance tax.” In the wake of controversy surrounding the Congress party’s pledge to implement a “wealth redistribution” vote, Indian Overseas Congress Chairman and advisor to Rahul Gandhi Sam Pitroda has proposed that India implement an inheritance tax akin to that of the United States. In elucidating the inheritance tax, Pitroda asserted that in the United States, the government appropriates 55% of a person’s wealth upon death, with the remaining portion passing to the heirs. Pitroda further suggested that Congress may enact a comparable policy through its wealth redistribution pledge.

Sam Pitroda unintentionally caused issues for the Congress during the Lok Sabha elections 2024 by causing yet another controversy. This loyalist, who started his political career in the 1980s with Rajiv Gandhi, ended up unintentionally giving the BJP chances to change the campaign’s narrative. Even if a number of prominent figures have made contentious remarks during election seasons, only Sam Pitroda was able to notably change the tone of the campaign. Pitroda’s statements in 2019 and 2024 compelled the Congress to refocus its efforts in order to deal with the consequences. Pitroda made some seemingly harmless comments, but many Congress leaders saw them as distractions.  However, it remains to be seen if his resignation from his position will make the dents dissipate.