Sam Pitroda, the former head of the Indian Overseas Congress, has once again become embroiled in controversy. After facing backlash for his comments regarding “inheritance tax,” Pitroda has incited fresh outrage with remarks concerning India’s diversity and Hindu faith.
In an interview with The Statesman, he expressed concerns about the impact on various aspects such as the economy, employment, and safety, emphasizing differing perspectives regarding issues like the Ram temple, historical heritage, and the secular ideals upheld by India’s founders. He acknowledged the country’s remarkable diversity, likening it to a harmonious tapestry where individuals of different appearances, languages, and customs coexist as brothers and sisters. Pitroda emphasized his belief in an inclusive India where everyone finds acceptance and mutual compromise.
He said “We could hold a country together as diverse as India where people on the East look like Chinese, people on the West look like Arab, people on the North look like maybe White and people in the South look like Africa. Doesn’t matter. We are all brothers and sisters. We all respect different languages. We all respect different religions, different looks, different customs. different food and as a Gujarati, I love dosa, I love idli. That’s my food. That’s no longer South Indian food. Okay, that’s the India I believe in where everybody has a place and everybody compromises a little bit.”
He also lamented the perceived challenge to the foundational principles of Indian democracy, citing instances such as the focus on the Ram temple and the Prime Minister’s visits to temples, which he feels overshadow the broader national identity in favor of partisan affiliations.
“That idea of India rooted in Democracy, Freedom, Liberty, Fraternity is being challenged by Ram temple and Ram Navami, Prime Minister going to the temple all the time, talking not as a National leader but talking as the leader of BJP”, Pitroda had said
This time the Congress party has distanced itself from Sam Pitroda’s comments.
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.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 8, 2024
On the other hand, ‘all-in-all’ commentator and alleged doctor Sumanth Raman came to the rescue of Sam Pitroda and defended the racist comments.
Sumanth Raman is a Congress supporter masquerading as a neutral ‘commentator’ on everything under the sun.
Earlier, he had derided journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay known for her pro-India views as ‘This Lady’ while hailing propagandist YouTuber Dhruv Rathee.
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