PM Modi focused the Congress over Sam Pitroda’s remarks whereas addressing a rally in Telangana
Warangal (Telangana):
Tearing into the Congress over its veteran chief Sam Pitroda’s contemporary flub, Prime Minister Narendra Modi as we speak demanded a response from Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, saying that the nation “will not tolerate disrespect on the idea of the color of pores and skin”.
Mr Pitroda, whose comment on an inheritance tax within the US final month left the Congress red-faced within the election season, got here up with a brand new howler whereas he was making an attempt to make a pitch for nationwide unity regardless of India’s range. In an unique interview with The Statesman, Mr Pitroda described India as a “… numerous nation… the place individuals on East appear to be Chinese language, individuals on West appear to be Arab, individuals on North appear to be perhaps White and other people in South appear to be Africa”.
Pushed into firefight mode, the Congress distanced itself from its senior chief’s comment. “The analogies drawn by Mr. Sam Pitroda in a podcast for example India’s range are most unlucky and unacceptable. The Indian Nationwide Congress utterly dissociates itself from these analogies,” senior Congress chief Jairam Ramesh mentioned in a submit on X.
The analogies drawn by Mr. Sam Pitroda in a podcast for example India’s range are most unlucky and unacceptable. The Indian Nationwide Congress utterly dissociates itself from these analogies.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) Might 8, 2024
As movies of Mr Pitroda’s remarks began doing the rounds on social media, the Prime Minister launched an all-out assault on the Congress at a rally in Telangana’s Warangal.
Repeating his “shehzade (prince)” barb for Mr Gandhi, the Prime Minister mentioned, “Shehzade, you’ll have to reply. The nation is not going to tolerate the disrespect of our countrymen on the idea of the color of pores and skin. Modi will certainly not tolerate it.”
Doubling down, the Prime Minister mentioned he now is aware of why the Congress opposed the BJP’s alternative of Droupadi Murmu for the President’s submit. “I used to marvel why the Congress opposed Droupadi Murmu’s candidature within the presidential election, however I couldn’t perceive. However now I do know why they tried to defeat Droupadi Murmu, an adivasi. An uncle of the shehzaada stays within the US. He’s his thinker and information. He has mentioned those that have darkish pores and skin are from Africa. Now I’ve understood, additionally they thought Droupadi Murmu is African. They thought her pores and skin is darkish, so she should be defeated,” the Prime Minister mentioned.
On his X deal with, the Prime Minister mentioned he was “completely disgusted by the remarks of the senior Congress chief, who’s the good friend, thinker and information of the Congress’ Crown Prince”. “His remarks are racist and in very poor style,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
The BJP got here out strongly in opposition to the remarks of Mr Pitroda, who heads the Congress’s abroad wing. Occasion spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi informed the media that Mr Pitroda’s statements “present his ignorance and contempt for the basic id of the nation”.
Mr Pitroda’s racist remarks got here when he was talking in regards to the nation’s range. He referred to a “actually divided nation as we speak primarily based on concepts of India”, and mentioned, “It’s not a query of who is correct or flawed… however a query of what you imagine in.”
“… there’s one other view that claims our founding fathers fought the British Raj not for a Hindu nation however for a secular nation. Pakistan determined to make a nation primarily based on faith… you’ll be able to see how that’s going. We’re a shining instance of democracy on the earth. We now have survived 70-75 years in a really completely happy setting, leaving apart a number of fights right here and there,” he mentioned.
“… we’re all brothers and sisters, we respect totally different languages, religions, customs, and meals. As a Gujarati, I like dosa. So, if I’m going to Tamil Nadu and converse the native language, it’s okay. I’m nonetheless at residence… that’s my India, rooted in democracy, freedom, liberty, and fraternity,” he declared. This view, Mr Pitroda mentioned, “is being challenged by one that features the Ram Temple and Ram Navami and the PM going to temples on a regular basis and speaking not as a nationwide chief, however that of the BJP”.
Among the many BJP leaders who panned the remarks have been its Northeast Chief Ministers, Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma and Manipur’s N Biren Singh.
Sam bhai, I’m from the North East and I appear to be an Indian. We’re a various nation – we could look totally different however we’re all one.
Hamare desh ke naked mein thoda to samajh lo! https://t.co/eXairi0n1n
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) Might 8, 2024
“Sam bhai, I’m from the northeast, and I appear to be an Indian. We’re a various nation – we could look totally different, however we’re all one. Hamare desh ke naked mein thoda to samajh lo! (Please perceive no less than one thing about our nation)” Mr Sarma posted on X.
“I condemn Congress chief, Sam Pitroida’s racist remark in opposition to the individuals of Northeast. The Congress has at all times tried to divide India with their Divide and Rule coverage. However they need to know that NE has been part of India and can at all times be. Such a mockery within the India’s range is extremely unacceptable @INCIndia and @sampitroda should publicly apologize,” Mr Singh mentioned.
I’m from South India. I look Indian! My staff has enthusiastic members from north east India. They give the impression of being Indian! My colleagues from west India look Indian!
However, for the racist who’s the mentor of @RahulGandhi all of us look African, Chinese language, Arab and the White! Thanks for… pic.twitter.com/UzXi4ndwhk— Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) Might 8, 2024
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, too, slammed Mr Pitroda’s remarks. “I’m from South India. I look Indian! My staff has enthusiastic members from north east India. They give the impression of being Indian! My colleagues from west India look Indian! However, for the racist who’s the mentor of @RahulGandhi all of us look African, Chinese language, Arab and the White! Thanks for revealing your mindset and your angle. I.N.D.I alliance’s disgrace!” she posted on X.
