From Pakistan praise to '84 mein hua to hua': Sam Pitroda’s most debated remarks
Based in Chicago, Sam Pitroda, 81, is the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress who has been associated with the grand old party since the Indira Gandhi era. He was also said to be close to Rajiv Gandhi.
Congress veteran Sam Pitroda, a longtime aide of the Gandhi family, has often landed the party in trouble with his off-the-cuff remarks, from dismissing the 1984 riots to questioning India’s strikes on Pakistan, attacking temple politics, and now proposing the idea of an inheritance tax.
2/6
Based in Chicago, Sam Pitroda, 81, is the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress who has been associated with the grand old party since the Indira Gandhi era. He was also said to be close to Rajiv Gandhi. (PTI)
3/6
Sam Pitroda's controversial remarks: In an interview with IANS, Pitroda said, "Our foreign policy, according to me, must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours?... I've been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I've been to Bangladesh, I've been to Nepal, and I feel at home. I don't feel like I'm in a foreign country..." (PTI)
4/6
Anti-Sikh riots, 1984: Pitroda once dismissed past allegations linking Rajiv Gandhi to instructions that triggered the riots, saying, “’84 mein hua to hua” (“what happened has happened”) and challenged critics to talk about what was done in recent years. This led to backlash. Pulwama / Balakot strikes: In 2019, he questioned whether retaliation (Balakot air strikes) was the right approach, saying attacks “happen all the time.” (PTI)
“Middle class shouldn’t be selfish”: Regarding Congress’s NYAY scheme (minimum guaranteed income), Pitroda urged the middle class not to be “selfish” and said they must be willing to pay more taxes. This drew criticism, triggering clarifications from Congress leaders that they wouldn’t increase taxes. Ram Mandir / temples' role: He said that temples won’t create jobs, and criticized the focus on temples (“everyone talks about Ram, Hanuman, mandir”) instead of material issues. BJP condemned this as “Hinduphobic.” (PTI)
6/6
On Nehru vs. Ambedkar: Earlier this year, he backed a claim (via Sudheendra Kulkarni) that Nehru contributed more than Ambedkar to the framing of the Constitution. He later deleted the post. This stirred controversy over belittling Ambedkar’s constitutional contributions.
![Sam Pitroda's controversial remarks: In an interview with IANS, Pitroda said, "Our foreign policy, according to me, must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours?... I've been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I've been to Bangladesh, I've been to Nepal, and I feel at home. I don't feel like I'm in a foreign country..." (PTI)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/09/20250919113805_PTI4_6_2019_000115B.jpg "Sam Pitroda's controversial remarks: In an interview with IANS, Pitroda said, "Our foreign policy, according to me, must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours?... I've been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I've been to Bangladesh, I've been to Nepal, and I feel at home. I don't feel like I'm in a foreign country..." (PTI)")
