Leader Online Desk : People of Northeast India look like Chinese. Congress leader Sam Pitroda's controversial statement that South Indians are like Africans and North Indians are somewhat white has drawn criticism from across the country. Now the Congress party has also distanced itself from his statement. Communication Officer Jairam Ramesh has clarified the role of the party in this matter.
Very Unfortunate and Unacceptable : Jairam Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh on social media platform X handle said, “Sam Pitroda's description of the country's people to describe India's diversity is very unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from this statement.”
The comparisons given by Sam Pitroda to the diversity of India are very wrong and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely disassociates itself from these analogies.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 8, 2024
What did Sam Pitroda say?
Sam Pitroda, while speaking to a media group, made offensive remarks about the appearance of Indians. He said that the people of Northeast India look like Chinese. South Indians are like Africans. Whereas North Indians are somewhat white. So far we can maintain unity in diversity.
'We can hold a diverse country like India together. People from East India look like China. Westerners look like Arabs, Northerners look white and South Indians look like Africans. It doesn't matter. We are all brothers and sisters. People in India respect linguistic, religious and food diversity, which varies from region to region. I only believe in this India. Where there is a place for every citizen. They get a chance to live life in their own way. He also claimed that India's ideals of democracy, freedom and generosity are being challenged today by the Ram temple.
Prime Ministers often visit temples only. He also criticized that he not only talks like a national leader but also talks like a BJP leader.
Assam Chief Minister Sarman replied
This clip of Sam Pitroda's interview is going viral on social media. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also reacted to his statement. He said, 'Sam bhai, I am from North East and look Indian. We believe in diversity. We may look different, but we are all one. Understand a little about your country.
Sam bhai, I am from the North East and I look like an Indian. We are a diverse country – we may look different but we are all one.
Hamare desh ke bare mein thoda to samajh lo! https://t.co/eXairi0n1n
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 8, 2024
Divide and rule their ideology: Kangana Ranaut
Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has criticized the Congress. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's Guru Pitroda entire ideology is divide and rule. It is sad that they call Indians Chinese and Africans. Shame on Congress!” She has made such criticism in her post.
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
Shiv Sena Thackeray groups also criticized Pitroda
Priyanka Chaturvedi, the leader of Shiv Sena Thackeray group, which is an ally of Congress, has also targeted Sam Pitroda. “I do not agree with his statement. But, he is a member of the Manifesto Committee, the star campaigner of the Congress and does he live in this country? They live abroad. It is unfortunate.” He has said that.
