Indian Overseas Congress president Sam Pitroda’s fresh comments, which he wants to emphasize India’s diversity, have provoked strong reactions from the prime minister and BJP chiefs of northeastern states.
In an interview with The Statesman, Sam Pitroda said, “People in the east are like Chinese, people in the west are like Arabs, people in the north are like white people, and people in the south are like Africans.”
At a rally on Wednesday, referring to Sam Pitrota’s comments, he said, “Shejata (a reference to Rahul Gandhi) has to answer. “Nation and Modi will not tolerate insulting our citizens on the basis of skin colour,” PM Modi said.
Assam Chief Minister and BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance leader Himanta Biswa Sharma pointed to these views and said, “Sam Bhai. I am from North East and I am like an Indian. India is a country of diversity – we may look different in appearance, but we are all one. Learn a little about our nation!” He said.
Manipur’s BJP Chief Minister N Bren Singh took a more aggressive stand and called Sam Pitrota’s comments “racist”.
“I condemn Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s racist comment against the people of North East. Congress has always tried to divide India with its policy of divide and rule.
But they should know that North Eastern states have always been a part of India and always will be. Mocking India’s diversity is never acceptable,” said Bren Singh and demanded a public apology from the Indian National Congress and Sam Pitrota.
Jairam Ramesh of Congress distanced the Congress party from Sam Pitroda’s comments: “The analogies Sam Pitroda used in an interview to explain India’s diversity are very unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely disassociates itself from these analogies,” said Jairam Ramesh.
Last month Sam Pitrota stirred controversy by saying that inheritance tax in the US is an interesting law and people in India should discuss it. The BJP made it an election issue, leaders brought up the issue in the election campaign and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi He criticized the Congress for imposing an inheritance tax and “stripping” the inheritance of voters’ children.
