Sam Pitroda should apologize for 1984-riots comments, says Rahul Gandhi
What's the story
Congress found itself in a soup on Thursday after its senior leader Sam Pitroda made insensitive remarks about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Like expected, his comments shaped the political narrative on Friday with BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi slamming him.
As Congress received criticism, party president Rahul Gandhi stepped up to say that Pitroda's statements were "out of line".
Here's what happened.
Context
Backstory: Pitroda sparked a row with his words
Pitroda, who is the overseas in-charge of Congress, was berating BJP for speaking about former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The saffron party had said Nanavati Commission concluded that violence against Sikhs happened at Rajiv's behest.
Calling the allegations baseless, Pitroda said, "hua toh hua (it happened if it happened)". Subsequently, PM Modi said Pitroda's words reflected Congress' arrogance.
Quote
Congress has always been insensitive, claimed PM Modi
"Congress, which ruled for a long time, has been insensitive and that is reflected by three words spoken yesterday... these words have not been spoken just like that, these words represent the character and mentality and intentions of the Congress," PM Modi said.
Statement
1984 was a needless tragedy, wrote Rahul on Facebook
Reacting on the controversy, Rahul wrote on Facebook, "Sam Pitroda Ji said is completely out of line and he should apologize for it. I think 1984 was a needless tragedy that caused tremendous pain."
To recall, 1984 riots started after Rahul's grandmother and former PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two bodyguards.
More than 3,000 Sikhs died in New Delhi alone.
Quote
Rahul reminded that Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi had apologized
"The former PM, Manmohan Singh Ji, has apologized. My mother, Sonia Gandhi Ji, has apologized. We all have made our position very clear - that 1984 was a terrible tragedy and should never have happened," Rahul's Facebook post read.
Facebook Post
Justice should be done: Rahul
Defense
Facing heat, Pitroda blamed his poor Hindi for gaffe
At the center of a political row, which gave an edge to BJP, Pitroda said his comments were twisted and taken out of context.
"The statement I made was completely twisted, taken out of context because my Hindi isn't good, what I meant was 'jo hua vo bura hua,' I couldn't translate 'bura in my mind," Pitroda told press on Friday.
Twitter Post
What I meant was move on: Pitroda
Sam Pitroda, Congress: What I meant was move on. We have other issues to discuss as to what BJP govt did and what it delivered. I feel sorry that my remark was misrepresented, I apologise. This has been blown out of proportion. https://t.co/PV5Im5hzce
— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2019