"Aim Wasn't To Belittle Suffering": Sam Pitroda Clarifies Pak Remark Amid Row

"Aim Wasn't To Belittle Suffering": Sam Pitroda Clarifies Pak Remark Amid Row

New Delhi:

Congress Overseas chief Sam Pitroda has issued a clarification regarding his controversial "at home in neighbouring countries" comment, stating it was intended to "emphasize the shared history and people-to-people bond in the Indian subcontinent." He stressed that his statement was "not to ignore pain, conflict, or the grave challenges we face from terror and geopolitical tensions," according to his recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In his explanation, Pitroda noted, "My intention has always been to highlight current realities: concerns about electoral processes, civil society's importance, youth engagement, and India's position both regionally and globally."

He further clarified, "If my words have created confusion or caused hurt, I want to make it clear that my intention was never to diminish anyone's suffering or undervalue legitimate concerns - but rather to encourage honest dialogue, empathy, and a more grounded approach to how India perceives itself and is perceived by others."

During an interview with IANS, Pitroda had emphasized prioritizing neighborhood relations in foreign policy. With recent turbulence in Nepal and Bangladesh, and particularly strained relations with the latter, Pitroda remarked, "Our foreign policy, according to me, must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours? I've been to Pakistan, and I must tell you, I felt at home. I've been to Bangladesh, I've been to Nepal, and I feel at home. I don't feel like I'm in a foreign country."

His inclusion of Pakistan in this list provided ammunition to the BJP, which accused Congress leadership of compromising India's national interests.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari commented, "Rahul Gandhi's blue-eyed boy & Congress Overseas chief Sam Pitroda says he 'felt at home' in Pakistan. No wonder UPA took no tough action against Pak even after 26/11. Pakistan's favourite, Congress's chosen!"

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Pitroda, who leads the Indian Overseas Congress, has a history of making statements that create controversies for his party and provide political opportunities for the BJP.

Last year, he temporarily resigned from his position for seven weeks following two controversial statements. One concerned diversity, which BJP interpreted as having racist undertones, while another referenced inheritance tax as an example of "new policies" that could "help prevent concentration of wealth."

His comments on inheritance tax were portrayed as advocacy for implementing such taxes in India. Before the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that if elected, Congress would redistribute people's personal wealth among "infiltrators" and wouldn't "spare even women's mangalsutras."

After being reinstated to his overseas wing position following these controversies, Pitroda told NDTV that his comments are consistently misinterpreted. "People are not interested in the substance of a conversation, they are interested in the form of the conversation," he explained.