Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, has resigned following controversy over his statement. Pitroda had compared the people of North India with blondes, those in the West with Arabs, East Indians with Chinese, and people from South India with Africans. The Congress distanced itself from the remark, but the BJP seized it as a major issue.
History shows that when Sam Pitroda makes such statements during elections, Congress lands in trouble. This recent matter is no different, where his response to questions on the constitution and democracy inadvertently provided the BJP with ammunition. Pitroda's statement has prompted the BJP to seek answers from Rahul Gandhi. This raises the question of whether Sam Pitroda has repeated his 2019 mistake amidst elections and if his resignation will reduce Congress' difficulties.
Indeed, Pitroda's comments could become a thorn in the side for Congress during the elections. It’s unlikely Pitroda anticipated such an uproar, reaching the point where Prime Minister Modi linked it directly to the President. Previously, Pitroda had made a statement about inheritance tax, which Prime Minister Modi turned into an issue to attack Congress. Following Pitroda's latest statement, Congress finds itself on the defensive. The INDIA alliance has also distanced itself from Pitroda's remark, calling it inappropriate.
Sam Pitroda is considered Rahul Gandhi's political mentor, with Gandhi regularly seeking his advice on various issues. This is why the BJP mockingly refers to him as Rahul Gandhi's uncle. The question now is, what impact will Pitroda's consecutive controversial statements have on the elections?
Sam Pitroda's Longstanding Connection with the Gandhi Family
Noted as the father of the information revolution in India, Sam Pitroda's relationship with the Gandhi family dates back many years. Invited by then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1984, he founded C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) to research and develop the telecom sector. Impressed by his capabilities, Rajiv Gandhi entrusted him to shape his domestic and foreign telecom policies. Before his resignation, Pitroda was overseeing Rahul Gandhi's programs abroad.
During the UPA government's tenure from 2005 to 2009, Pitroda served as the Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission. He was also a pioneer and the first chairman of India's Telecom Commission. In this period, he drafted reforms for institutions and infrastructure related to knowledge for the 21st century. Furthermore, he also served as a UN adviser to the Prime Minister during the UPA government. Hence, when he made a fresh controversial statement, Prime Minister Modi was quick to target Rahul Gandhi.
Sam Pitroda's 2019 Comments Created Issues for Congress
In the 2019 general elections, Sam Pitroda was a source of trouble for Congress. In May 2019, he made a controversial statement about the 1984 Sikh riots that caused quite an uproar. At that time, when questioned about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, he responded with 'What about '84' which ignited controversy. Pitroda later stated, "What about '84? You should speak about what you've done in these five years. You were given a vote to provide jobs, to create 200 smart cities. You didn't do that either. You accomplish nothing, so you gossip here and there.”
Sam Pitroda was Criticized for His Comments on the Pulwama Attack
Not only that, following the Pulwama attack and India's subsequent retaliation, Sam Pitroda made a statement saying, "Attacks like these happen. Mumbai experienced an attack, too. We could have also sent planes in response, but it wouldn't have been right. In my view, this is not how you engage with the world. It is wrong to blame Pakistan for some terrorists' actions. When eight people attacked Mumbai, Pakistan as a whole was not held responsible. He also upset the middle class in the previous election by saying that if a minimum income scheme were implemented, taxes might increase slightly. Therefore, the middle class should not be selfish and should show a bigger heart. Each of Pitroda's statements led to controversy, embarrassment for Congress, and apologies were needed. However, despite all this, Sam Pitroda hasn't changed.
Sam Pitroda Also Made Controversial Comments about Ram Temple and Ambedkar
Last June, Sam Pitroda said, 'We are struggling with unemployment, inflation, education, health issues but nobody wants to talk about these issues. Everyone is focused on Ram, Hanuman, and temples. I have often said that temples can't provide jobs. Six months later, he expressed annoyance by saying, 'About temples and the birthplace of Ram, lighting lamps, it bothers me.' Earlier this year, he claimed that Jawaharlal Nehru contributed more to the formulation of the constitution than B.R. Ambedkar.
Whenever Sam Pitroda spoke, it proved to be a political full toss for the BJP and Congress was left with no choice but to bite the bullet. Even though Sam Pitroda has resigned recently, the echoes of his statement will reverberate throughout the election season.
