’84 mein hua toh hua’, Sam Pitroda’s insensitive comment on 1984 riots sparks controversy

Sam Pitroda, controversial Congress leader well known for outrageous statements, has sparked another controversy. Like most of other Congress leaders, he has no sympathy for victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots and leaves no stone unturned to justify the massacre. “This is also another lie, and what about 1984? 1984 hua toh hua. Aapne kya kiya paanch saal mein, uski baat kariye. ’84 mein hua to hua. (You speak about what you have done in five years. It happened in 1984, so what?),” said Pitroda when asked if ‘instructions to kill’ after the death of Indira Gandhi came from the then PMO.

In response to Pitroda’s statement, Amit Shah tweeted, “Agony of the entire Sikh community. The suffering of all those Sikh families killed by Congress leaders in 1984. Attack on Delhi’s secular ethos. All summed up in these three words by Sam Pitroda – Hua To Hua.”

This is not the first time that Pitroda has made such an insensitive statement. Previously he asked Indian middle class to not to be ‘selfish’ and be ready to pay for NYAY scheme. When asked whether taxes will not go up and whether the middle class will be affected by it, Pitroda said, “Taxes may go up but I do not think that’s a major issue”.  He said “Don’t be selfish, have big heart,” in a very demeaning and insulting manner. 

Before that, Sam Pitroda insulted the Pulwama martyrs and the sentiments of the nation following heightened Indo-Pak tensions. Chairman of the Overseas Indian National Congress, Sam Pitroda had given a shocking statement. He had said, “Don’t know much about attacks. It happens all the time. The attack happened in Mumbai also, we could have then reacted and just sent our planes but that is not right approach. According to me that’s not how you deal with world.”

He went further while exonerating Pakistan and said, “Eight people (26/11 terrorists) come and do something, you don’t jump on entire nation (Pakistan). Naive to assume that just because some people came here and attacked, every citizen of that nation is to be blamed. I don’t believe in that way.” 

In the ongoing general election, Pitroda is playing the same role played by Mani Shankar Aiyar in the 2014 general elections. Mani Shankar Aiyar, in the run-up to the general elections, had made the infamous ‘Chaiwala’ jibe for Narendra Modi.

“I promise you in 21st Century Narendra Modi will never become the Prime Minister of the country. …But if he wants to distribute tea here, we will find a place for him,” Aiyar had said at the venue of the AICC meeting in January of 2014.

Mani Shankar Aiyar’s comments on Narendra Modi didn’t go down well with the nation, with many considering the comment to be against people with humble backgrounds. BJP, taking on the hate, had turned around Mani Shankar Aiyar’s jibe and created a whole new campaign ‘chai pe charcha’ which connected with Indian voters.

Sam Pitroda taking the baton this election has been giving a tough challenge to Mani Shankar Aiyar, by his insulting and illogical remarks. The insensitive remarks by Pitroda would hurt the electoral prospects of Congress in the state of Punjab which will vote for 13 Lok Sabha seats on 12^th May. The people like Pitroda are dangerous to Congress party as well as for the communal harmony of the country. He has re-established the fact the Congress party does not feel sorry for what Rajiv Gandhi government and Congress workers did to the Sikh community in 1984.