Social Buzz: YS Sharmila’s radio message to PM; Sam Pitroda in soup for ‘racist’ remarks; more

As the country moves towards the fourth phase of voting, here's a look at what created buzz on social media today.

YS Sharmila showing a radio; Sam Pitroda, who is at the midst of a latest controversy.

Three phases into the Lok Sabha polls, political parties continue to make their presence felt with their high-voltage campaign and blame games both offline and online. As the country moves towards the fourth phase of voting, let’s look at what created buzz on social media today.

YS Sharmila’s radio message to PM Modi

Keeping up with the likes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popular radio show, Andhra Pradesh Congress president Y S Sharmila Wednesday sent a radio message to the PM urging him to listen to the “Mann Ki Baat” of of the people of the state.

YSR (Kadapa): Andhra Pradesh Congress President and candidate from Kadapa Lok Sabha seat, YS Sharmila sends a radio message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to listen to the “Mann Ki Baat” of the people of the state.

She said, “You are not eligible to enter the state… pic.twitter.com/r0LsGXyVv8

— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024

While PM Modi was on a campaign trail in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Lok Sabha candidate from Kadapa seat said that he is not “eligible to enter the state” until he “apologises” for “deceiving” the people for 10 years. “You are not eligible to enter the state until you apologise to the people of Andhra Pradesh…You have been deceiving the state for ten years, showing hypocritical affection during elections but neglecting development…We are presenting a charge sheet on behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh. If you dare, write an affidavit promising to fulfill the commitments made to the people of Andhra Pradesh now.”

Sam Pitroda’s ‘Indians look’ remark, and its fallout

Senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda isn’t new to controversies. Yet the latest furore over his ‘racist’ remarks ended up costing his party post. On Tuesday, Pitroda, found himself at the centre of the latest outcry after a podcast came out with his comments on the “looks” of people from various parts of a very diverse India. He was heard saying here “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”. He added: “It does not matter. All of us are brothers and sisters,” he added.

The remarks however drew the ire of a number of people, with PM Modi leading the BJP attack.

At a rally in Telangana’s Warangal, Modi said, “Shehzada (a reference to Rahul Gandhi) will have to answer. The nation and Modi will not tolerate insulting our citizens on the basis of skin colour.” Posting about the same from his official handle on social media platform X, Modi said, “I am absolutely disgusted by the remarks of the senior Congress leader, who is the friend, philosopher and guide of the Congress’ Crown Prince. His remarks are racist and in very poor taste.”

I am absolutely disgusted by the remarks of the senior Congress leader, who is the friend, philosopher and guide of the Congress’ Crown Prince. His remarks are racist and in very poor taste. pic.twitter.com/wKBxe2qJIe

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 8, 2024

Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman said that Sam Pitroda’s remarks ‘reveals his mindset and attitude’. “For the racist who is the mentor of Rahul Gandhi we all look African, Chinese, Arab and the White! Thanks for revealing your mindset and your attitude. I.N.D.I alliance’s shame!,” wrote Sitharaman in a post from her official handle on the social media site X.

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

Mandi BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut levelled an attack on Pitroda over his “racist” and “divisive” comments for Indians. Taking to X, she said: “Sam Pitroda is Rahul Gandhi’s mentor. Listen to his racist & divisive jibes for Indians. It’s sickening to call fellow Indians Chinese and African.”

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

The Congress too distanced itself from Pitroda’s remarks with General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh censuring these through a post on X. “The analogies given by Sam Pitroda to India’s diversity are extremely wrong and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely disassociates itself from these analogies,” senior Congress leader Ramesh said.

श्री सैम पित्रोदा ने अपनी मर्ज़ी से इंडियन ओवरसीज कांग्रेस के अध्यक्ष पद से इस्तीफ़ा देने का फ़ैसला किया है। कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष ने उनका इस्तीफ़ा स्वीकार कर लिया है।

Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 8, 2024

Hours later, Ramesh again took to X to notify that Pitroda has stepped down from the post of Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress. “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 spoof video targets PM Modi

Meanwhile, the Congress party is back with a spoof video targeting PM Modi. The grand old party tweaks a popular quote from blockbuster film Om Shanti Om: “Itni shiddat se maine tumhe paane ki koshish ki hai” and uses as a voice over to an animated version of PM Modi.