Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress party on Wednesday after a video of one of its leaders, Sam Pitroda, went viral on social media. Pitroda, the chairman of Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) stirred a major controversy as he attempted to draw an analogy of India's diversity.
"I got to know that there is an uncle in America who is the philosophical guide of 'Shehzada' and just like the third umpire in cricket this 'Shehzada' takes advice from the third umpire," he said in an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Sam Pitroda.
"This philosophical uncle said that those who have black skin are from Africa. This means that you are abusing several people of the country on the basis of their skin colour," Modi said while addressing a rally in Telangana's Warangal.
The Prime Minister further stated that Pitroda's remarks have filled him with anger as he cannot tolerate anything against his countrymen. He further asked whether the potential of the people of the country will be decided on the basis of skin colour.
"I am very angry today, if someone abuses me I can take it but this philosopher of 'Shehzada' has given such a big abuse that has filled me with anger. Will the potential of the people of the country be decided on the skin colour? Who gave this right to 'Shehzada'?. The people dancing with the Constitution on their head are insulting my countrymen on the basis of their skin colour," said Modi.
#WATCH | Addressing a public gathering in Warangal, Telangana, PM Modi says "I was thinking a lot that Droupadi Murmu who has a very good reputation and is the daughter of Adiwasi family, then why is Congress trying so hard to defeat her but today I got to know the reason. I got… pic.twitter.com/nPJLQ6DQ3ZRelated stories
— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2024
"...'Shehzade aapko jawaab dena padega'. My country will not tolerate the disrespect of my countrymen on the basis of their skin colour and Modi will never tolerate this," the PM stated.
Pitroda, during a recent interaction with The Statesman, had said that the people of India have "survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together leaving a few fights here and there".
"We could hold together a country as diverse as India -- where people on East look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africa. It doesn't matter. We are all brothers and sisters," he stated.
A massive controversy erupted following Pitroda's remarks even as the Congress chose to distance itself with his racist 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," said Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh on social media platform X.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
