New Delhi:
Senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s comment on 1984 riots have snowballed into a massive political controversy. After a barrage of attack by senior BJP leaders, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who slammed Pitroda over his contentious remark. It showed the "character and mentality" of the party. The remarks reflect the "arrogance" of the Congress, PM Modi said addressing a poll rally on the last day of campaigning for the sixth phase in Haryana’s Rohtak on Friday.
“Yesterday, one of the tallest leaders of the Congress speaking in a loud voice on 1984 said '84 ka danga hua to hua'. Do you know who this leader is, he is very close to the Gandhi family...this leader was very good friend of Rajiv Gandhi and Guru of Congress 'naamdar' (dynast) president,” PM Modi added.
Asked about the 1984 riots, Pitroda had reportedly said: "84 mein hua to hua."
However, Pitroda clarified his remark and said that, “Truth is being distorted, lies are being amplified through social media and targeted People are systematically being intimidated. However, truth will always prevail and lies will be exposed. It is just a matter of time. Have patience. For all those who would be voting on May 12 th & 19 th I want to remind that the phones and computers you use is because PM Rajiv Gandhi in mid 1980s provided political will, policies, leadership, wisdom and needed funding to build foundation & platform to connect India.”
“Rajiv Gandhi took many bold initiatives to plant seeds for technology missions on water, literacy, immunization, cooking oil, milk production,and telecom. Today we have eradicated polio and we are the largest producer of milk. He introduced panchayat Raj and many novel schemes. Rajiv Gandhi believed in promoting and investing in Science & Technology. He regularly spent quality time with scientific advisory council to the PM and scientists. He initiated India’s super computer work at C-DAC and established TIFAC,” he added.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal joined the anti-Pitroda chorus and said that "disgraceful" comments reveal the mindset of the Gandhis. "Pitroda has been very close to the Gandhis since Rajiv Gandhi days and is still the principal advisor to Rahul Gandhi. His remarks reveal the mindset of the Gandhis. These remarks are the final and clinching evidence of who ordered the massacre and how the Gandhi family views the tragedy of the Sikhs," he said. "By not dissociating himself from these remarks even up to now, Rahul Gandhi has also endorsed these views. This is disgraceful,” Sukhbir Badal added. “I wonder if Amarinder would like to stick with the INC India after Sam Pitroda's disgraceful comment on the 1984 Sikh genocide.This is a chance for Amarinder to quit honourably before he faces poll debacle,” Sukhbir said in his tweet.
