The Congress party reinstated Sam Pitroda as the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress with immediate effect on Wednesday (June 26), following his resignation in May amidst a storm of controversy over his remarks on Indian skin colors.
A notification issued by the Congress party, signed by KC Venugopal, General Secretary and in-charge of organization at AICC, confirmed Pitroda’s re-appointment. Pitroda had stepped down from the position on May 8 after his comments sparked a backlash for their perceived racial insensitivity.
The controversy erupted when Pitroda, in an interview with ‘The Statesman’ newspaper, attempted to illustrate India’s diversity by stating, “We have survived 75 years in a very happy environment where people could live together, leaving aside a few fights here and there. We could hold a country together 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 whites, and maybe people in the South look like Africans.”
The remarks drew sharp criticism, prompting Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh to announce Pitroda’s voluntary resignation on social media platform X. “Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress President has accepted his decision,” Ramesh had posted.
The BJP seized upon the controversy, attacking Pitroda’s comments vigorously. In response, the Congress party distanced itself from Pitroda’s statement and accepted his resignation.
With his reinstatement, Sam Pitroda resumes leadership of the Indian Overseas Congress, a role in which he will continue to represent the party’s interests abroad amidst ongoing political scrutiny and public discourse.