A racial remark about Indians made by Sam Pitroda in a podcast sparked nationwide outrage on Wednesday, the Congress dissociated from his comment and Pitroda had to resign as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress. A “political guru” of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Pitroda, sitting in the US, was discussing Indian current affairs on a podcast when he veered from his path and commented:
“We could hold together a country as diverse as India, where people in the east look like Chinese, people in the west look like Arabs, people in the north look like maybe white and people in the South look like Africans…it doesn’t matter. We are all brothers and sisters. The idea of India that is rooted in democracy, freedom, liberty, and fraternity is being challenged by Ram temple, Ram Navami and the Prime Minister going to the temple all the time and talking not as a national leader, but as a leader of BJP.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to hit out at Pitroda.
Though the comments have come a day after the Goa polls, the BJP here has not left any stone unturned to target the Congress.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has condemned the racist remarks from Convenor of Overseas Congress Party Sam Pitroda.
“The Convenor of Overseas Congress party Sam Pitroda has yet again exposed the divisive ideology of the Congress Party. I condemn his racist remarks and would like to tell the Congress party that this nation will not tolerate these tactics anymore,” said Sawant.
CM Sawant further reiterated that we all are woven by the thread of Patriotism and National Integration, despite the diversity in language, culture, social background etc.
Due to such controversies, the Indian National Congress (INC) that witnessed phases like the Nehruvian era, Indira Gandhi era and Manmohan Singh era, is now witnessing a phase of reducing relevance. As the 2024 Lok Sabha polls near, the Congress seems to be losing relevance, favour and preference, even among the peer parties in the INDIA bloc.
The Congress under Rahul Gandhi is now “accused” of portraying leftist ideologies, that refuse to resonate with Indian voters who now have aligned with the majoritarian politics of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
Oppn gaffe’s boost Modi…
Over the past decade, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strategically positioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its central figure, transforming him into a brand in his own right. As the party gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024, its campaign revolves around the persona of PM Modi, with senior ministers and leaders traversing the nation to sway voters.
When Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad criticised Modi for lacking a family, the PM adeptly turned it to his advantage. Highlighting his modest beginnings and recounting his journey from adversity to success, PM Modi appealed to voters by declaring, “India is my family.”
This tactic not only countered the opposition’s narrative but also showcased his ability to connect with the masses on a personal level.
Chaiwala
Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar referred to Modi as a “chaiwala” (tea seller) ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The remark was used by him to portray Congress as an “elitist party” and an insult to his “humble beginnings”.
In the run-up to the elections, Modi capitalised on the remark at every rally and organised a series of “Chai pe charcha” events throughout the country.
Mai bhi Chowkidar
In response to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s “Chowkidar Chor Hai” jibe during the 2018 Rajasthan polls, Modi and the BJP launched the “Main Bhi Chowkidar” (I am also a watchman) campaign. Modi even altered his social media bio to include the prefix ‘chowkidar,’ solidifying his commitment to safeguarding the nation.
Modi ka parivar
The BJP’s “Modi Ka Parivar” campaign further reinforced this narrative, emphasizing Modi’s assertion that all 140 crore Indians are his family.
In response to PM Modi’s retort to Lalu Yadav during the Adilabad rally, a robust social media campaign ensued, featuring prominent figures such as Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP Chief J P Nadda, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
They all appended the “Modi ka Parivar” suffix to their names on X (formerly Twitter). This campaign gained significant traction and trended throughout March 3.
