PM Narendra Modi Challenges MK Stalin on Congress after Sam Pitroda’s “Diversity” Comments

The Prime Minister recently questioned whether MK Stalin would be willing to sever ties with the Congress in response to controversial comments made by Sam Pitroda about South Indians resembling Africans. The DMK swiftly responded, denouncing Pitroda’s comments as “unacceptable” but also noting that there was some truth in his observations. The party also criticized PM Modi for his silence on similar statements made by a BJP MP in the past. Pitroda’s remarks on the physical appearance of South Indians made headlines and were subsequently used by PM Modi during a rally in Andhra Pradesh to criticize the Congress.

He accused the Congress of having a divisive mindset and challenged regional leaders to stand up against such comments. In response, a DMK spokesman acknowledged the unacceptability of Pitroda’s stereotyping comments but defended the core concept of diversity, emphasizing that India is formed by different ethnic groups coming together. The spokesman also dismissed Pitroda’s influence within the Indian alliance. PM Modi further utilized Pitroda’s comments to attack Rahul Gandhi and emphasized that the country would not tolerate disrespect based on skin color.

This has placed the Congress in a difficult position, as they are already dealing with controversies surrounding Pitroda’s earlier remarks on inheritance tax. The party’s communications in-charge, Jairam Ramesh, issued a statement dissociating the Indian National Congress from Pitroda’s analogies, labeling them as “unfortunate and unacceptable.”