SAM PITRODA, one of the closest associates of the Gandhi family, stepped down as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress on Wednesday after his politically incorrect remarks to underline India’s diversity triggered a firestorm, drawing sharp reactions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP’s chief ministers in the Northeast.
Emphasising the diversity of India, Pitroda in an interview to The Statesman, said: “People in the East look like the Chinese, people in the West look like the Arabs, people in the North look like, maybe, White, and people in the South look like Africans,” adding, “It does not matter. All of us are brothers and sisters.”
His remarks put the Congress in a difficult spot in the middle of elections. While the party initially distanced itself from Pitroda’s comments, it had to take steps to control the damage. With Pitroda’s resignation, the party hopes to put a lid on the controversy and not let the row derail its campaign.
“Mr Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress president has accepted his decision,” Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh said.
Earlier in the day, distancing the party from Pitroda’s comments, Ramesh said: “The analogies drawn by Mr Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India’s diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies.”
Seizing on Pitroda’s remarks, Modi, while addressing a rally in Telangana, said: “I am very angry today. I don’t get angry when someone abuses me. I will tolerate it. But today the Shehzada’s (a reference to Rahul Gandhi) philosopher has hurled such a big abuse, which has filled me with anger. Can people’s ability be decided on the basis of their skin colour? Yeh chamadi ki rang ka khel Shehzade ko kisne ijazat di hai. Samvidhan sar pe lekarke nachne wale log.. (Who gave him permission for this game on skin colour. Those who dance around with the Constitution on their head) are insulting the people of my country on the basis of skin colour. Shehzade… you will have to answer. The nation will not tolerate insulting our citizens on the basis of skin colour and Modi will never tolerate it,” he said.
Assam Chief Minister and chairman of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance, Himanta Biswa Sarma, 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 baare mein thoda to samajh lo (learn about our country a bit).”
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh took a more aggressive stand. “I condemn Congress leader Sam Pitroda’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 the Northeast has been a part of India and always will be. Such a mockery of India’s diversity is highly unacceptable,” he said, demanding a public apology from Pitroda and the Congress.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma also condemned the remarks.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said: “The idea of unity in the midst of diversity is the main mantra of the Indian spirit. Although we live in the Northeast, our thinking is completely Indian. Similarly, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Ahmedabad to Arunachal, all the citizens of the country have one identity, as Indian. But, blinded by the greed of power, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s mentor Sam Pitroda and the discriminatory INDI Alliance mentality has gone so low that they are now judging the people of India by their skin color and face. I strongly condemn this disgusting mentality.”
Pitroda had stoked a controversy last month too, when he said the inheritance tax in the United States was an interesting law and could be among the issues for debate in India. The BJP turned this into an electoral issue, with Modi claiming that the Congress would impose an inheritance tax and “snatch” people’s inheritance for “re-distribution”.
While Rahul remained silent on Pitroda’s latest remarks, his sister and senior leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit back at Modi. Asked by ANI whether Pitroda had given Modi a full toss, Priyanka, who is in Rae Bareli, said: “Pradhan Mantri inhin fisool baaton pe full toss khelte hain (The PM wastes time on full tosses like these). I challenge him, play full toss on employment, price rise, atrocities on women… You are saving those who are committing atrocities against women…”
With Modi leading the BJP offensive, citing such “racist” comments as proof of the Congress’s attempts to divide the country on the lines of race, religion and caste, the Opposition party leaders admitted growing disquiet over Pitroda, seen as a “habitual offender”. Sources said a “stern message” should be sent to people like him, adding that the signal has to come from the Gandhi family.
“The Gandhis should realise that this man is giving the BJP talking points on a platter… We know that the BJP, especially Modi, is going to town, but our hands are tied. We could only disassociate the party from his remarks… that is why Ramesh promptly issued a clarification,” said a Congress leader.
“I still don’t know what he brings to the Congress table apart from the fact that he coordinates and manages Rahul’s speaking engagements, including at various universities abroad,” said another.
By evening, Pitroda resigned, and the party underlined that he did it of his own accord.
Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress 
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