Sam Pitroda, the technical expert and Congress leader, sparked a controversy with his recent words about people in eastern India. Pitroda’s comment, made during an event in Bhopal, made a criticism from the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and triggered a political phenomenon.
During the event, Pitroda said, “I think in India, there is a need to change of mindset. East looks at a policy differently. They look at the forest policy, land policy, and industry policy differently. Because their access to the look east is not same as west. The West has a different outlook. The East looks like China and the West looks like Europe. They Both have different styles and culture.
The comment was instantly picked up by the BJP, which accused Pitroda of making a racist remark. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra tweets, “Shame on you Sam Pitroda! You are showing your true colours by calling people of eastern India ‘Chinese’. This condescending attitude towards our own people reflects the Congress mindset.”
The remark by Pitroda has risen a debate on social media, with many users commenting his statement. Some have accused him of stereotyping people based on their appearance, while others have questioned the intention behind his words.
Pitroda’s comments have once again highlighted the need for political leaders to be mindful of their words and the impact they can have. This is not the first time Pitroda has pull hammer on the feet. In the past, he has made controversial remarks on various issues, such as the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the Balkot air strike.
The BJP’s reaction to Pitroda’s remark also raises questions about the political dynamics in the country. In a diverse country like India, where people are of different regions, culture and backgrounds, it is important for leaders and people to be thoughtful in their approach and avoid making statements that could be seem as discriminatory or offensive.
With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, political parties are increasingly resorting and mudslinging to score points against their opponents. This incident is likely to further intentionalising the political structure in the run-up to the elections.
In response to the criticism, He accused the BJP of twisting his words for political gains., also Pitroda issued a clarification, stating that his remarks were taken out of context and that he had the highest respect for the people of eastern India.
The controversy surrounding Pitroda’s remark serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible, ethical and sensitive communication, especially in the public sphere. As public figures, political leaders have a duty to promote harmony and unity among the people, rather than showing stereotypes and divisions.
Shilpa Chalke.