In a significant move, the Congress party has reappointed Sam Pitroda as the chairperson of its overseas unit, just two months after his resignation following contentious remarks about India’s diversity. This reinstatement, announced by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, underscores party chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s reliance on Pitroda’s expertise despite his controversial history.
Pitroda’s Brief Resignation
Pitroda’s resignation on May 8 was seen as a self-initiated decision aimed at damage control. His divisive comments on inheritance tax during a crucial phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections had placed the party in a precarious position.
In an interview with The Statesman, Pitroda’s remarks on India’s regional diversity sparked a political uproar. “We hold a country together as diverse as India where in the east people look like Chinese, people in the west look like Arabs, people in north look like white and in south look like Africa. Doesn’t matter. We are all brothers and sisters,” he said, leading to widespread criticism.
Political Repercussions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi capitalized on Pitroda’s comments during his campaign, portraying them as reflective of the Congress party’s attitude. He referred to Pitroda as Rahul Gandhi’s ‘philosophical guide’ and criticized Congress for allegedly trying to defeat tribal leader Droupadi Murmu.
Modi stated, “Today I found out why the Congress was trying so hard to defeat Droupadi Murmu, daughter of a tribal. Today I got to know that Shehzade’s [Rahul Gandhi] uncle lives in America and that this uncle is his philosophical guide who has exposed his secret. He has 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 color.”
A History of Controversies
Pitroda is no stranger to controversies. Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he suggested that the middle class should pay more taxes to ensure a minimum income for poor households, urging them not to be ‘selfish.’ This statement caused turmoil within Congress, forcing senior leader P Chidambaram to clarify that there would be no additional tax burden on the middle class if Congress returned to power.
His comments on the Balakot airstrikes also drew sharp criticism. Opposing the Indian Air Force’s strike in Pakistan, he said, “Attack happened in Mumbai also. We could have then reacted and just sent our planes. But that is not the correct approach. Naive to assume that just because some people came here and attacked, every citizen of that nation is to be blamed.”
During the 2019 elections, Pitroda’s remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots added to the controversies. When the BJP claimed that the instructions for the riots came from Rajiv Gandhi, Pitroda dismissed the accusations, saying, “Ab kya hai ’84 ka? Aapne kya kiya 5 saal mein, uski baat kariye. ’84 mein hua to hua. Aapne kya kiya?” Although he later apologized, this statement significantly impacted Congress during a critical election period.
Recent Remarks and BJP’s Reaction
In June 2023, at an event in the United States, Pitroda questioned the national focus on religious issues, specifically the Ram Mandir construction. He expressed frustration that critical issues like inflation, employment, and education were overshadowed by religious debates. “When the entire nation is hung up on Ram Temple and Ram Janmabhoomi, it bothers me…To me, religion is something very personal, and national issues are education, employment, growth, the economy, inflation, health, the environment, and pollution. But no one speaks about it,” he said in the presence of Rahul Gandhi.
BJP’s Criticism
The BJP has criticized Congress for reinstating Pitroda, calling his resignation a poll gimmick anticipated by PM Modi. “As Prime Minister Modi anticipated, the Congress’ sacking of Sam Pitroda was merely an election gimmick. He has now been reinstated as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, exposing the hypocrisy of the Congress party and its leaders,” the BJP stated.
Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s IT cell, said, “The tormentor of the middle class is back. Congress hoodwinks India, and brings back Sam Pitroda soon after the elections. Hua toh hua.”
“Sam Pitroda’s regressive racist comments targeting the middle class, people from the South and North-East, in particular, were not his personal opinion. He spoke for Rahul Gandhi. He was removed to control damage after his ideas invited severe backlash. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had predicted back in the day that Congress would reinstate him… And they have!” Malviya added.
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